DRUMCREE AND PORTADOWN



HISTORY******************************************************************************************
The Parish of Drumcree is a Church of Ireland rural parish on the Northern side of Portadown in 
County Armagh.

Drumcree which means "Ridge of the Branch" may well in days of old have been a centre for Druid 
worship.  However it would appear that Drumcree became a Christian centre in Celtic times.  The 
Celdees of Armagh who were formed in the sixth century to oversee the worship of the Cathedral 
also had responsibility for Drumcree.

When parishes were formed in the Irish Church in 1110, the parish of Drumcree was defined as 
having sixty - six townlands.  These townlands lie west of the river Bann.  Shortly afterwards 
the irish Church came under control of the church of Rome.  That was in 1172 at the Synod of Cashel.

When the reformation took place in the mid-sixteenth century, the Irish Church became protestant 
like the Church of England and independent again.  Nothing is known about the reformation years, 
except that Henry Iharran was appointed Vicar of the parishes of Kilmore and Drumcree on 5th 
January 1505.

A map of 1609 shows that there was a church in ruins in Drumcree Churchyard.  Shortly after 
the Ulster plantation in 1610 a church was built on the site of the present church.  It is 
understood that the church seated five hundred people and had a gallery.

About 1657 it was suggested that Drumcree Church and Seagoe Church should be closed and a new 
church should be founded at Edenderry.  But this never came to pass.

The Reverend John Wesley had a great influence on the parish and visited it six times between 
1769 and 1785.

The tower of the church was built in 1812 and the bell was hung in 1814.

When Portadown began to grow at the beginning of the nineteenth century, thirteen town-lands 
were separated from Drumcree, to form the parish of Portadown.  The townlands are:

Annagh
Artabrackagh
Ballyworkan
Baltylum
Clounagh
Corcrain
Drumnakelly
Drumnasoo
Garvaghy
Kilmoriaty
Mahon
Mullantine
Tavenagh

The Curate of Drumcree, Robert Henry was appointed Curate in Charge.  A Chapel of Ease dedicated 
to St Martin was built where St Mark's is now sited.  It was consecrated on 14th November 1826.

It was decided in 1854 to build a new church at Drumcree, which is the present church.

In 1867 five more townlands were separated from Drumcree to help form the parish of Diamond.  
These townlands are:

Corglass
Annagora
Ballymakeown
Coharra
Cushenny

The church of Ireland had been supported by the state prior to 1870, that is, it was the 
established church.  But the Irish Church Act of 1869 brought the disestablishment and disendowment 
of the Church of Ireland from 1st January 1871.  This meant that the Church lost millions of 
pounds and a great deal of property.  Drumcree lost almost all of its 565 acres of Glebe land.


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LIST OF PROTESTANT HOUSEHOLDERS IN DRUMCREE PARISH IN 1740
(alphabetically arranged)
Achesen (Atkinson handwritten above this surname), George, Meredith,
Edward, John and Widow; Adare, John; Adas, Ralph; Alexander, John;
Anderson, Robert, William; Andrews, James, John; Ansle, Michael; Arnold,
Edward; Aston, Thomas; Babe, Anth.; Baker, James; Bamer,
Richard; Barran, James; Batterbee, James; Bell, Richard; Besenian,
Richard; Best, George; Betty, Joseph, John; Bickit, William, William;
Blacker, Samuel, George; Were, William; Bodle, Robert; Boyd, Joseph;
Bradley, John; Brown, John, Hugh; Browlee, George, Hugh, Thos, Alex,
Thos; Brownlow, James, John; Bryans, John; Bullock, Robert; Burley,
Henry; Burniston, Anthony; Byars, James; Caftan, Sal; Caiwell, William;
Cath, James; Carrick, Ralph; Cashell, James; Clayton, Thos, John, Anthony,
Francis, John, John, William; Colburn, Samuel; Connor, John; Cope,
George, (Rev.); Corbit, John; Corek, Richard; Corcran, James; Corkitt,
Richard; Con Daniel; Corron, George, Robert; Crany, Roger; Crosbie, William;
Davis, Thomas, Thomas; Devlin, Hugh; Diell, Robert; Dillin, Thomas; Dimon,
Henry; Divanny, Hugh; Donellan, William, Samuel; fond, Widow; Dugan,
Archibald; Duke, Hary; Dune, John; English, David; Evans,
Daniel, John, Ben; Farguson, David, Edward. David; Farsony, Edmund;
Fife, John; Fleming, John, John; Flevelle, Thomas; Forster, Robert;
Freeburn, Hary; Fynagan, William; Garland, Martin; Garner, Thomas;
Georges, Thomas; Gillaspy, John, Robert, John; Gilpin, John; Graham,
Widow, John, David, John, James; Gray, M.; Griffith, Thomas; Grimason,
William; Guil Har.; Hall, Thomas; Hamilton, James, Hugh, Hand,
Martha, Thos.; Hardy, John, James; Harker, Thomas; Hassison, William,
John; Hart, Robert, Isaac; Ifelady, Wid.; Helland (or Holland), Jaet, Henry,
Geo.; Henan, Daniel; Hendry, John, Lanty; Henry, Daniel; Hetherton,
Widow; Hewitt, Thomas; Hide, John; Hitchgard, William; Higins, John;
Hipson, Rose; liolinan, Robert; honeyford, Wid.; Hodgan, William; Hunt,
John; Hurley, Michael; Irwin, John, George; Johnston, Robert, Nathaniel,
William; Jones, Robert, John, John: Joyce, James, George, Hugh; Kelly,
Daniel, John; Kelop, Thomas; King, James, John; Kingycrok, William;
Laky, Sanders; Langmor, Mary, James; Lawson, Mary, John, William, Sarah;
Lenam, Samuel; Lindsay, William; Little, Widow, William; Lorkan, Hugh;
Love, William; Lyn, Daniel; M'Carratran, John; M'Carthy, James;
M'Conali, James; M'Culiah, William, James, William, James; M'Donnell,
Alexander; M'Dowell, John; M'Goh, William; M'Glains, John; M'Kee,
William; M'Quillan, James, Toby; M'Grally, Murt.; Madden, John;
Madole, Pat, John; Magowan, Thomas; Maholem, John; Major, Robert,
John; Malone, John; Many, Pat; Mason, Bary; Matchett, John; May,
Thomas, Ben, John; Mercer, John, William, Mrs.; Mill, Nath.; Miller,
Catherine, David, Widow, Robt.; Mitchell, Samuel; Monypenny, Mt;
Moore, Samuel, Mark; Morris, Anthony, Anthony, Pat; Morrison,
Alexander, Anthony; Morrow, Pat, William, George; Murfy, Richard,
Archibald; Netelton, Jerem,; Nisbitt, Joseph; Obins, Anthony; Overend,
John; Paterson, John; Paticue, John; Paull, Thomas; Pegan, James; Peper,
Thomas, Mr.; Poimer, John; Porter, John, John; Ramsey, John; Ranells,
Edward; Rednrnn, Chris.; Reed, Widow, John; Reiley, John; Reminton, Tim;
Richards, John; Ripley, James; Robb, John, William, James, Man.;
Robinson, Mr., Henry, John, Thomas: Rogers, Matt., John, Bryan, George;
Ross, Jo,; Russell, Samuel, James, Thomas, Wm. Richard; James; Ruth,
Conalan; Sanderson, John; Savage, H.; Scofield, Samuel; Scott, John;
Serjan, Joseph,William. William; Shontrigs, Mr.; Simenton, Richard; Sinter,
James; Spence, Thomas; Smith, Gam., David, John, Robert, Wm.; Strain,
James; Stuart, James; Tedford, Nicholas; Tegart, Hugh; Templeton,
William; Thompson, Thomas, Thomas, George; Thorn, David; Thornbury,
Thomas; Tilt, Thomas; Tipin, H.; Todd, Sara; Totton, John; Watt, Daniel;
Waton, l.Jmfrey, Robert; Weir, John, William, John; Whaley, William, James;
White, George; Whiteside, Widow; Williams, Richard, Hary, John; Wills,
John; Willson, Ralph, Charles, Andrew; Woodhouse, John; Woods,
Thomas; Woolsey, Mr. John, Benjamin; Wakman, John Meredith; Wouths,Wm.,
Richard, James, John, Thomas, Edward, John, Richard; Yeoman, John
Robert.


1737 LIST OF PEOPLE WHO OWED RENTS AND TYTHES
(From the inventory of Rev. Mr Letherbarrow, 'late rector of Drumcree')
In the Magazine this list is arranged by town (not in alphabetical order).
The list also includes the amount owing by each person. For the purpose of
this article I have chosen to list the people alphabetically with the town
of residence in italics after their names to facilitate comparing names with
the 1740 census above.

Adas, Ralph Ballyworkan; 
Akin, Widow Torcullentragh; 
Alexander, Jas.Ballyworkan; 
Andrews, William Cloonagh; 
Atkinson, George Druma/lis;
Atkinson, John Ballyna gown (Otragh Upper); 
Atkinson, Wm. Richmount;
Battersby, Jas. Portadown; 
Beatty, Jos. Battery/om; 
Be Eliz.Drumherif 
Bell, James Drumnasoon; 
Bell, Richard Drumlelan; 
Best, George Killmulrerty; 
Binks, Widow Portadown; 
Bleare, Wm. Richmount;
Borniston, Ant. Portadown; 
Bradway, John Foybeg; 
Brankin, Phel Shelchin; 
Brians, John Drumnakelly; 
Brown, Hugh Ballynagown (Etragh Lower);
Brownlee, George Artabracca; 
Brownlee, Jas. Drumnakelly;
Brownlee, Thos. Drumnasoon; 
Bullock, Robt. Anaghkeer-agh; 
Burrell, Robert Bauerylom; 
Calop, Thos. Cloonagh; 
Calwell, Widow Legonagh;
Campbell, Fran. Ballyworkan; 
Camtree (?), Eliz. Drumnasoon; 
Carr, Sara. Shelchin; 
Cleton, John Cloonagh; 
Cleton, Thos, Cleton, Widow; 
Cleton, Widow Mullentine; 
Comerton, Widow Legonagh; 
Conaghan, Art.Portadown; 
Conaghan, Patt Ballyworkan; 
Confery, John Drumnakelly;
Conlon, Dan Derrcory; 
Conlon, Jas. Torcullentragh; 
Conlon, Hen. Timakeel;
Conlon, Murtagh Derrymattery; 
Conlon, Peter Derrybroughas; 
Conlon,Rich. Foybeg; 
Conner, Morgan Drumnakelly; 
Cook, Rich. Torcullentragh;
Cortney, Phel. Ballyna gown (Etragh Lower); 
Costly, John Derrycory;
Crosbey, William Drumnakelly; 
Cullen, Ter. Onchonagh; 
Cullen, Widow Batterylom; 
Davey, Widow Ballyworkan; 
Davis, Edw. Portadown; 
Davis, Thos. Mu/lentine; 
Davis, Thos. Sheichin; 
Derry, George Cangolomore;
Develin, Hen. Derryletive; 
Develin, Murt. Breagh; D
evelins (no given names listed) Breagh; 
Devlin, Hen. Mockrey; 
Dillon, Thomas Canagolobeg; 
Dillon,Widow Shelchin; 
Doherty, John Ballyworkan; 
Donelson, William Portadown; 
Donely, Edward Ballyoran; 
Donely, Eliz. Drumher 
Donely,Hugh Drumnakelly; 
Donely, Owen Can golomore; 
Donely, Owen Timakeel;
Donely, Patt Derryletive; 
Donely, Phel, Mullentine; 
Donely, Rodger Drumeenagh; 
Dowd, Brian Anagh; 
Dowd, Char., 
Dowd, Owen Portadown;
Doyle, Brian Kin garave; 
Doyle, Hugh; 
Doyle, Jas. Richmount; 
Doyle, Rodger Derryall; 
Dugan, Arch. Mahan; 
Duke, John Anagh; 
Evins, John Ballima gown; 
Fargison, Edw. Cloonagh; 
Fargison, Jas. Drumnakelly;
Fergison, Dan Drumallis; 
Field, Thos. Portadown; 
Fin, John Drumnasoon;
Eleven, Thos. Cloonagh; 
Garton, Pan Timakeel; 
Gillaspy, John Anagh;
Gillaspy, John, Anabracca; 
Gilpin, John Ballima gown; 
Gordon, John Timakeel; 
Graham, Jos. Portadown; 
Grahame, John Drumnakelly;
Grahams, John Mullentine; 
Griffith, Thos. Foybeg; 
Haddon, Jas.Artabracca; 
Hagan, Cors. Breagh; 
Hamill, Hugh Breagh; 
Hamilton, Hugh Portadown; 
1-lainmill, John Derrcory; 
Hanlon, Widow Ballyworkan;
Harker, Thos. Artabracca; 
Harris, Wm. Artabracca; 
Harrison, John Canagolobeg; 
Harron, Wm. Drumnasoon; 
Hart, Robt., 
Hart, Widow Kill,nu/rerty; 
Hatton, Hercules Ballitna gown; 
Henry, Jas. Portadown;
Henry, Lough Anagh; 
Herron (or Henon), Matt. Ballyoran; 
Hetherton,George Portadown; 
Hexon, John Mahan; 
Hide, John Richmount; 
Hispin, Fran. Shelchin; 
Hodgin, Henry Ballyoran; 
Homer, Eliz. Corcrin; 
Homer, Jas. Ballyworkan; 
Hoy, Widow Mullentine; 
Hues, Patt Mockrey; 
Huges, Dan Derryanasill; 
Hunt, John Artabracca; 
Irwin, George Can golomore;
Johnston, George Batterylorn; 
Johnston, Robt. Portadown; 
Johnston, Thos. Corbranan; 
Johnston, Wm. Ballima gown; 
Johnston, William Drumnakelly;
Jones, John Ballyna gown (Otragh Upper); 
Jones, Wm. Portadown (part of John Atkinson's meadow); 
Kelly, Jas. Ballyworkan; 
Kenabrough, Wm. Legonagh; 
Kessaday, Phel. Ballyworkan; 
Kinney, Jas. Drumena 
Kiriom, Robt. (see.) Artabracca; 
Kitchin, John Ballyworkan; 
ICnape, Jas. Ballyworkan; 
Lackey, Alex. Breagh; 
Lapon, Richard Drumherif 
Lapon,Widow Derrymattery; 
Lawson, Sara Artabracca; 
Lawson, Wm. Mullentine;
Lindsay, Matt Derrycor (Derrycaw); 
Lindsay, William Drumnakelly; 
Litter, John Farrow-HiU; Lorkan, 
Augustin Derrycor (Derrycaw); 
Lorkan, Hugh Legonagh; 
Lough, Henry Anagh; 
MaClohlin, Jas. Drumherjf 
Maddin, John, 
Maddin, John, 
Maddin, Tor. Drumnakelly; 
Maflole, Patt A rtabracca;
MaGibbin, las. Corcrin; 
McGlumph, John Ballyworkan; 
Magowan, Jas. Drumnasoon; 
Mallagh, John Torcullentragh; 
Malpool, Art. Pontadown;
Many, Tor. Corbranan; 
Many, Widow Derymattery; 
Marty, Hen, Ballyna gown (Otragh Upper); 
Mawbinney, Brice Torcullentragh; 
May, John Ballvworkan; 
M'Cafry, Patt Ballyworkan; 
M'Can, Ant. She/chin; 
M'Can, Brian Derryletive; 
M'Can, Clem. (?) Portadown; 
M'Can, Daniel Canagolobeg; 
M'Can, Owen Ballimugown; 
M'Can, Patt Derryanasill;
M'Can, Rodger Corbranan; 
M'Can, Widow, Anagh; 
MaClohlin, Drumherzf; 
M'Collagh, William Drumlelan; 
M'Collester, John Torcutlentragh; 
M'Connell, Widow Anagh; 
M'Cool, Peter Canago
M'Cullagh, Jas. Canagolobeg; 
M'Cullagh, Wm. Timakeel; 
M'DoheiI, Alex.Richmount; 
M'Donell, John Drumnakelly; 
M'Donnel Alex. Ballynagown (Etragh Lower); 
M'Gee, Edw. Bailyworkan; 
M'Ginnis, Ford Anagh;
M'Gorkian, Tor. Torcullentragh; 
M'l-Iaeelin, Roland Derrynasill;
M'Halom, Hugh Portadown; 
M'Kee, William Bauerylom; 
M'Knox, Robert Portadown; 
M'Lindon, Chars., M'Lindon, 
Donely, Cangolomore;
M'Lowland, Oh. Bellyfadren; 
M'Nally, Hugh Derryall; 
M'NalIy Murt.,
M'Nally, Tur. Derrycan; 
M'Queelin, Evet Derrcorv; 
M'Queelin, Jas.Portadown;
M'Rory, John Batterylom; 
M'Tarsney, Edward Derrcory;
M'Veagh, (no given name listed) Derryniskin; 
M'Veagh, Hugh Corbranan;
M'Vegh, David, 
M'Vegh, Edward Cangolomore; 
M'Veigh, Jas. Derrycor (Derrycaw); 
M'Very (?M'Rory), Jas. Artabracca; 
Mees, Thomas Batterylom; 
Mennypenny, Mr. Anagh; 
Miller, David Portadown; 
Miller, Matthew Portadown; 
Miller, Robt. Portadown; 
Miller, William Batterylom;
Mil Jane Baltimagown; 
Money, Jas. Drumnasoon; 
Moore, Mark Breagh; Morris, 
Patt Ballynagown (Etragh Lower); 
Morrow, George Clenmarten; 
Muldoon, John Mullentine; 
Mu Amb. Cloonagh;
Mu Owen Derryanasill; 
Mulkain, Dennis Farrow-Hult; 
Mulkevey,Widow Mockrey; 
Mullen, William Cangolomore; 
MulIhollon, Cor.Corbranan; 
Mulligar, John Drumnasoon; 
Mulvena, Edw. Drumeenagh;
Murphy, Edward Artabracca; 
Murphy, John Derrycory; 
Murphy, John Drumeenagh; 
Murphy, Arch., 
Murphy, Richard, Timakeel; 
O'Conlon,Teige, Derryanasill; 
O'Conly, Art. Onchonagh; 
O'Corr, Patt Derryletive;
O'Feron, Dan Mullentine; 
O'Henon, Paul Shelchin; 
O'Marly, Dan Anagh;
O'Monon, Brian Corbranan; 
O'Neil, Hugh Portadown; 
O Brian,  Artabracca; 
O'Neill, Con Ballynagown (Etragh Lower); 
O'Neill, John Portadown; 
O'Neill, Ter. Killmuirerty; 
Overand, John Portadown; 
Palmer, Richard Artabracca; 
Patterson, John Derryanasill; 
Paul, Samuel Anagh;
Pelos, Mary Ballima gown; 
Porter, John sen., 
Porter, John jun. Portadown;
Quin, John Drumnakelly; 
Quin, Owen Richmount; 
Redman, Carter Ballyoran; 
Redman, Edw. Drumenally; 
Regan, Widow, Regan, Jas. Bellyfadren; 
Richy, Patt Derrrybroughas; 
Robb, Jas. Derrybroughas;
Robinson, Alex., 
Robinson, Thos. Richmount; 
Rodgers, George Anagh;
Rodgers, John sen., 
Rodgers, John jun. Portadown; 
Rosman, Richard Richmount; 
Russell, Jas., Russell, 
Richard Ballyworkan; 
Sanders, John Artabracca; 
Savage, Hugh Timakeel; 
Serjant, Jos. Shelchin; 
Shortrigs, Mr.Portadown; 
Simon, Richard Bellyfadren; 
Smal Matt Ballyworkan;
Smyth, Wm. Drumeenagh; 
Spence, Thos. Shelchin; 
Stratton, Humph. Artabracca; 
Tegart, Hugh Derryanasili; 
Teneman/Tereman, Henry Timakeel; 
Thomnburg, Thos. Timokeel; 
Tidlord, Mich. Derryletive; 
Tod, Widow Drumhertf 
Toreman, Henry Timakeel; 
Totton, Ann Torcullentragh;
ilimner, Mr. Can golomore; 
Thmner, William Drumnakelly; 
Watts, John Torcullentragh; 
Weir, John Richmount; 
Weim, John Timakeel; 
White, George Artabracca; 
Widnell, Wm. Foymore; 
Williams, Robt. Derrymattery; 
Wills, John Ballyworkan; 
Wil Ralph Derryanasill; 
Wilson, Robt. Shelchin;
Woods, Thos. Foybeg; 
Wright, Edward Drumnakelly; 
Wright, Fran. Mahan;
Wright, George Timakeel; 
Wright, Jas. Artabracca; 
Wright, John Cloonagh; 
Wright, Richard Artabracca; 
Wright, Richard Drumher
Wright, Thomas Artabracca; 
Yemans, Robt. Ballima gown; 
Yeomans, John Ballma gowan