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Where was Frankford, Armagh?

Hello,

I am researching my Ulster-Scot relations who lived in County Armagh for at least a couple generations.  I believe their landlord was Hamilton (I know there were many of this surname), but I'm looking at the person who wrote this will, Hans Hamilton of Frankford, Armagh:  https://census.nationalarchives.ie/search/dw/details.jsp?id=183455

I can't seem to find that place, Frankford.  There is a Presbyterian church just across the border with Monaghan near Castleblayney called Frankford, and indeed that area of western Armagh is where I'm researching.  But where was Frankford in Armagh?  Has the Armagh-Monaghan boundary changed since 1727?

Thanks for any help!

Mary Ann

mas0315

2 replies

I can’t specifically tell you where Frankford is. It’s possibly a townland that no longer exists or a house that’s been demolished. The border between Armagh & Monaghan has not changed over the years. On-line references seem to suggest it’s in Clonfeacle parish.

However that particular will has survived (or a transcript of it has). It’s held in PRONI in Belfast ref T/664 page 15. Might be worth reading it. There’s also information on what must be the same will on T/281/2 page 7 and that gives the townland as Frankfield. So might be confusion about the precise spelling.

Will extract here:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Hamilton-28097

PRONI has several other documents relating to Hans of Frankford. This deed dated 30.6.1738 (D778/85A) is an example:

Robert Hamilton of Frankford, Armagh, son and heir of Hans Hamilton, deceased and James Hamilton of Catherlough to Arthur Hill of Bellvoir, Co. Down, esq. - Reconveyance of the manor of Hollywood and three quarters of Ballyknockan and the following annual fee farm rents: £2 from Listowder and the mill thereof; £3 from Ballydyan; £5 from Lagigowne; £24 from Hollywood; £5 from Ballyrusselly; £3.15 from Ballyrainey; £7 from Ballycultra and Cregevade; £3 from the mill and mill lands of Dundonnell; £10 from Ballygrainey; £1 from Dunlady; £2.5. from Ballymenoch; £6.9.8 from Knocknegoney, Killeen, Ballyregan and Ballymasca; £25 from Strandtown, Knock, Ballymechan and Ballyoran; £9 from Ballycloghan, Carrowmullan and Carrantagert; £13 from Ballyhackamore; £20 from Ballymacarritt and Owen O'Cork Mill; £2 from Ballylisbredan, Unicarvell and Castlebegg; £8.19 from Bredogh, Ballylessan, Edenderry, Ballynehatty and Ballynerevally; £52 from Crevilicaverick, Cargicroy, Drenans and mill; £2 from Lisleen; £8 from Taunaghmore: also the advowson of the churches of Knockbreda, Dundonell and Hollywood. This reconveyance is made to the uses laid down by a lease and release dated 1 and 2 July 1680, that is to the use of Anne Hamilton, wife of the said James Campbell - Hollywood, Ballyknockan, Listowder, Ballydyan, Lagigowne, Hollywood, Ballyrusselly, Ballyrainey, Ballycultra, Cregevade, Dundonnell, Ballygrainey, Dunlady, Ballymenoch, Knocknegoney, Killeen, Ballyregan, Ballymasca, Strandtown, Knock, Ballymechan, Ballyoran, Ballycloghan, Carrowmullan, Carrantagert, Ballyhackamore, Ballymacaritt, Ballylisbredan, Unicarvell, Castlebegg, Bredogh, Ballylessan, Edenderry, Ballynehatty and Ballynerevally, Crevilicaverick, Cargicroy, Drenans, Lisleene, Taunaghmore, Knockbreda, Dundonell, Hollywood.

The Journal of the Co Louth Archaeological Society (Vol 7, no 4 Dec 1932) has an article entitled” Louth and Armagh Old Wills” by Rev LP Murray. Hans Hamilton’s will gets discussed in it. I don’t know what it says because I don’t have access to the journal, but it’s listed.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.  I've looked at the Murray article and it's just another abstract of Hans' will.  This Hans Hamilton was of Hamiltonsbawn, or at least he inherited that area from his grandfather John Hamilton.  Hans' father was Robert Hamilton who became the baronet of Mount Hamilton, which is another place I've questioned, but I believe it was the townland called Ardgonnel and not the area in Co. Tyrone.  Since Ardgonnel is near the Monaghan border, I thought maybe Frankford might be also.

Thank you again!

Mary Ann

mas0315

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