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Wisnom Land Grants 1721/1791

AntrimTemplecorran (Antrim)

Friends -

Another family researcherhas told me that she found a reference that a John Wisnom leased or was granted land in 1721 in Antrim County. I was wondering if someone knew where specifically, a book of records or county files, I might find that record. I am seeking to verify the source and if at all possible learn the location of the land. The family had several properties in the Duff's Hill area and the Cranbrock area, in addition to others. Family lore tells us that the family originally gained land in Antrim County from William III for his service in about 1690. It would be grand to, at minimum, verify that this record exists.

I am also looking to identify who the "Wisnom" is for this land lease and the location of the land. -- In July 1791, a land lease was made to McComb, Wisnom & Co. of approximately 60 acres in the Duffs Hill area north of Carrickfergus. It was a portion of the estate of Marriott Dalway, Esquire: From the first of November next, for such term of years as may be agreed on, part of the estate of Marriott Dalway, Esq; in the county Antrim; and county of the town of Carrickfergus.--Proposals to be received by Sir William Kirk, who will give every information relative to the said lands, and agree with the accepted Tenants for the same."Belfast Newsletter - July 15 - 19, 1791. Page 3. Bellahill, 19th July 1791. http://www.kinsleuth.com/belnews/1790-1800.htm

I project that the Wisnom is Alexander (b. 1765 - d. 1856) and the property is identified inthe Griffith's valuation 1861-62 as that of his sons, William and Isaac. The land sits south of the Dalway Cattle Drove Trail in Duff's Hill. The properties are identified as#86, and #90, respectively. Together they are 29 acres - half of the 1791 lease. But this is only speculation.

I write you from the States. Any help would be appreciated.

Ginna Wisnom Beckett

gwbeckett

5 replies

Ginna:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

Our Co. Antrim expert is on Holidays until after the first of the year. Would it be OK to hold this message until he returns? Thanks!

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Absolutely! Happy Holidays! Ginna

gwbeckett

Ginna,

Registration of land ownership only became compulsory in the 1990s so there’s no comprehensive record of who owned each piece of land in the 1600s or 1700s.  Some records exist in the Registry of Deeds and elsewhere eg in PRONI in Belfast. The PRONI e-catalogue does have some references to Duff’s Hill and to Wisnoms in Co Antrim but none specifically appear to be for your family.

It might be worth checking the Registry of Deeds records to see if any Wisnom transactions are recorded there, eg the 1721 or 1791 transactions. It wasn’t compulsory to register Deeds but many people did, in case the originals went missing. If you search by townland name (North East Division in this case), you may find some leases, marriages settlements etc for your family. The records are on-line on the LDS site but if you are not familiar with them you may find them difficult to search and interpret. You might need a researcher to help yo, by searching the copies in PRONI. (They are on microfilm there)

 

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Elwyn:

Thank you again for your guidance. I have located 4 Wisnoms (Wisnon) in the Tithe Applotment Books 1823-1838 in Carrickfergus Parish (irishgenealogyhub.com). The records indicate a location called Bray Land, and Hogs Park. and a year 1816. Would you be able to tell me the location of Bray Land and Hogs Park or a general area. And could you confirm my thinking that the 1816 year is the year of the lease started, or is it the year the record was taken? Is there a way to know who the landowner was who held the lease?

Thank you again. Your service is invaluable to me here in the states.

Ginna Wisnom Beckett

gwbeckett

1816 is simply the year the tithe records were taken. It does not indicate a start date for a lease, just the date these tithes were levied. The tithes were taken every year but in most cases only sample years records have survived, and are on-line.  To be in the tithes you had to have land. (So weavers, labourers and other tradesmen weren’t listed. You can assume most people in the tithes were farmers).

If you are looking for leases then you need to search the Registry of Deeds records as I mentioned before, and perhaps also the Encumbered Estates records. The Encumbered Estates Court records are on findmypast, and list details of estates put up for sale as a result of the landlords getting into financial difficulties. (Overvalued property and excessive mortgages they couldn’t repay. Much as in the recent property crashes 10 years ago). These records show all the tenants leases, many of which go back to the 1790s,

I had a look at the map of North East Division on Griffiths. It's full of places named Bray (Brae) and Park. I couldn’t see Bray Land or Hogs Park, but if you spend more time you might spot them. Try the other townlands either side. They will be small areas within the main townlands within the parish of Carrickfergus. Its possible that the names fell into disuse over the years, and had gone by the time of Griffiths maps c 1870. But maybe not.

The main landowners around Carrickfergus in the 1820s were the Marquess of Donegall & the Marquess of Down, but many plots were sublet all over the place.  No one estate owned everything. 

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

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