Castlewellan Court Book

The Castlewellan Court Book 1824 bears all the hallmarks of the 19th century officialdom it represents. It is bound in cardboard covers with leather corners and leather spine-binding, and it is lined with tortoise-shell paper in brown, grey and black. It measures 15 inches by 9½ inches and is 2 inches thick. The passing years have scuffed the cover in places. The book is well-preserved for its age. The binding is intact. A piece of red leather with gold letters thereon has become detached from the front of the book and been stuck back on with sellotape. This bears the inscription, inside an edge of gold vine-scrolls,

CASTLEWELLAN COURT BOOK 1824.

With its companion volumes the books cover the years from 1823 to 1828. The two companion volumes have found their way into the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland and are indeed suitable for publication as companion volumes to the present work. The first covers the period from 23August 1823 until 11th October 1824 and contains 1262 entries. The book is a little battered. The third book is in poor condition, with covers and spine missing. It commences on 9th October 1826 and contains 1578 entries, the date of the last court being 3rd November 1828.

Anyone with ancestors from the Castlewellan area will find the information in this book fascinating. Over three thousand persons are named and the entries give detailed insight into the public life of the area during the years covered by the book.

Sample Entries:

No.	COMPLAINT	PERSON CHARGED	OFFENCE	PROCEEDINGS	JUDGMENT AND OBSERVATIONS
27	John Tomilty of Ballyloughlin	John McCann of Waterask	Keeping a ferocious dog by which he has been bitten	Willm. Beers Esq.	The dog to be produced to the Constable - Wm. Magredie.
137	Bernd.Doyle of Backaderry	James Dimond of Cloughskelt	Taking away a cow his property, on the night of the 7th Inst.		Diamond to keep the cow.
410	Jimima James of Hilltown	Edwd.Murphy & Andw.Scott & Willm.Lindsay	Committing a a Rape on the 4th inst.etc.	Do.	This case dismissed having acknowledged having had carnal knowledge of Mr.Lynsay & it appearing that J.James is not of good character.
456	Mary Hagan ofMaghera	John Megraw of same	Assault etc. on the 3rd inst.	Do.	Mary Hagan (Complainant) was found [deleted] was found on the bed with John Magraw by by Anne Carlisle very quiet & did not complain.
626	Ellen McCrory of Balymacareny	David Rowan of same	Assault on the 10th inst. and non-pay(men)t of wages	Wm.Beers, Esq.	Ellen McCrory to serve out her time -[deleted] and to be paid for the time she served.
1051	Nichls. Rogers of Derryneal	Michl.Conaulty of Benraw	Preventing him to occupy his land & encroaching thereon	Do.	Refered to Men (?) to ascertain the mearing.

McCartan Entries in the Castlewellan Court Book 1824 (thanks to Nan Brennan for this transcription)

Oct 18 1824

Mary Hagan of Maghera, Complainant

MICH MCCARTAN, Ballymagreehan, Defendant Killing an unsound pig and refusing to take back same Lord Glerawly Mich McCartan to pay for the pig.

Stephen Quinn of Drumanaghan, Complainant DANL MCCARTAN, Drumaroad non-payment of wages amt 4s 7d John Law Esq No appearance

Alice Russell, Complainant

EDW MURRAY, ANN MCMULLEN, MARGT MCCARTAN, Defendants.

Respecting the elopement of her Daughter

Feb 7 1825

MICH MCCARTAN of Castlewellan, Complainant Edwd McGreevy & Pat McCabe Forcibly entering his house by the cellar John Law ESQ Settled

Willm. Skelly of Tanaghmore, Complainant BERND MCCARTAN of BALLRONEY, defendant Defraud by selling him a sticking cow No appearance

Mar 14, 1825

Bernard Reilly of Ballyhaffrey, Complainant THOS MCCARTAN, of BALLYHAFFREY Feloniously opening his house & taking therefrom the Lease o his Farm John Keown, Esq Refer'd to Lord Roden's Agent

Robert English of Moneycam, Complainant

FRAS MCCARTAN of SLIEVENISKEY

Do amt 2s/6d

John Law, Esq

Fr Mcartyn to pay this day

Mar 28 1825

FRAS. MCCARTAN of SLIEVENISKEY, Complainant Robert English of Moneycara, Defendant non-payment of wages for teaching a night school amt 2s/6d Wm Beers Esq English to pay the wages.

THOS MCCARTAN of BALLYHAFFERY, Complainant Nancy Reilly & Sally Reilly of Ballyhaffery, Defendants.

Fraudulently taking wearing apparel his property John Law, Esq No appearance

May 2, 1825

WM MCCARTAN of BALLYLOUGH, Complainant Owen Donnelly of Drumee, Defendant Non-payment of wages for the hire of a loom John Keown, Esq

FRAS MCCARTAN of SLIEVENISKEY, Complainant Jas Naughtan & Pat Murray of ?

Assault on 9th Inst

Wm Beers, Esq

May 30, 1825

BRIAN MCCARTAN of BALLYWILWILL, Complainant Jas Murray of Ginniss, Defendant Assault on Sunday the 22nd inst Wm Beers Esq Examinations granted.

Hugh McEvoy of BALLYMAGREEHAN, Complainant Wm Smith of Ballymagreehan, Defendant Fraudulently holding certain articles his property etc.

John Law, Esq

Referred to JOHN MARTIN & Mark MCCARTAN to settle

Pat McCabe of Ballymaginhey, Complainant BRIDGET MCCARTAN, Rose Duncan, & NANCY MCCARTAN

of WATERASK, Defendants

Assault on he 30th ultimo

John Law, Esq

Refered to Mr Brush with respect to the land

June 6, 1825

MICH MCCARTAN of SLIEVENSKEY, Complainant Willm. Dornan & Danl. Dornan of same, Defendant Attempting to empound cow same being on his own land Settled

William Dornan & Danl Dornan of Slieveniskey, Complainant MICHAEL MCCARTAN, BERND MCCARTAN, WM MCCARTAN JAMES MCCARTAN & ROSE MCCARTAN Of same Assault on 31st ult and rescue of a cow on the 4th inst.

Settled.

June 13, 1825

Terence Teaken of Drumena, Complainant

EDWD MCCARTAN of DRUMENA, Defendant

Rescue of sheep on the first inst

Earl Annesley

No appearance.

June 20 1825

WILM MCCARTAN of SLIEVENISKEY, Complainant Hugh Mullan of Drunmaquile, Defendant Non Payment of Wages amt 10s/10d William Beers, Esq no appearance

July 4, 1825

Jas & John McCann of Legananny, Complainant BERND MCCARTAN of Ballywilwill Assault on 20th ultmo Earl Annesley

Chas Sheridan of Moneyscalp, Complainant PETER MCCARTAN of DRUMENA passing bad money John Keown, Esq Paid good coins, 2s/6d

JAMES MCCARTAN of SLIEVENISKEY, Complainant John O'Hare of Ballymagrehan, Defendant Defraud in the sale of a pig Wm Beers, Esq Settled

BRIDGET MCCARTAN of BALLYMAGENHEY, Complainant Pat McCabe & James McCabe of Ballymaginhey, Defendants.

Trepass

Earl Annesley

referred to Agent of Lord Roden

22 Aug 1825

Owen Lennon of Burrenbane, Complainant

Pat Bannon, DANL MCCARTAN, John Ward & John Barlow of Maghera & Ballybannon Violently assualintg him on the 29th ultimo and taking from him a hat etc value 15s/0d John Law, Esq Settled

August 29, 1825

Pat Campbell of ?, Complainant

Owen Grant of Ballymagrehan, Defendant

Non-payment of wages amt 16s0d

John Law Esq

referred to W HILY HUG MCCARTAN & HU MCCARTAN SENR

5 Sept 1825

THOS MCCARTAN of BACKADERRY, Complainant ARTHR MCCARTAN of Backaderry, Defendant Keeping a ferocious dog, which dog as bitten is son Earl Annesley No appearance

3 Oct 1825

DANL MCCARTAN of BACKADERRY, Complainant James Mooney of Backaderry, Defendant Non-payment of wages amt 1s 8d John Law Esq

10 Oct 1825

Marg Ward of Ballyward, Complainant

JAMES MCCARTAN of BACKADERRY, Defendant

non-payment of wages amt 7s/0d

Wm Beers, Esq

Settled

PAT MCCARTAN of SLIEVENALARGY, Complainant John Boden of SLIEVENALARGY, Defendant Assault on the 6th inst.

Earl Annesley

Don't Appear.

17 Oct 1825

CHRIT.R Burns of Ballywilwill, Complainant BERND. MCCARTAN of Ballywilwill, Defendant Non-payment of wages for stonecutters work amt 16s/11d John Law Esq No Appearance

BERND MCCARTAN of BALLYWILWILL, Complainant Henry Sheals & Betty Sheals of Dunmore, Defendant Non payment of wages breach of bargain John Law, Esq No Appearance

Danl Green & Martha Green of Drumee, Complainant Owen Donelly Bernd. Donelly & Hugh Donelly of Drumee, Defendant Trepassing on his farm, defrauding Martha Green on the 13th inst Earl Annesley Referred to John Douglas & MARK MCCARTAN to settle the disagreement.

Chas Keenan of Ballymoney, Complainant

HUGH MCCARTAN of BURRIN, Defendant

non-payment of wages amt 18s/0d

Earl Annesley

Don't Appear

Nov 21, 1825

MICH MCCARTAN & PAT MCCARTAN of Castlewellan & Ballymagreehan, Complainant John McGreevy of Ballymagreehan, Defendant Repeated Assualts John Law, Esq Postponed

JAMES MCCARTAN & MICHL MCCARTAN of SLIEVENISKEY, Complainant Owen Murray Junr; Owen Murray Senr Assault & robbing him of 23lbs of flax etc on the 14th Earl Annesley Informations granted against Owen Murray Jr for assaulting Js McCartan

NELLY MCCARTAN & SARAH MCCARTAN of BALLYMAGINHEY, Complainants Kitty O'Hare of Magheramayo Assault on the 28th Ulto Earl Annesley To appear Monday fortnight

19 Dec 1825

JOHN MCCARTAN of CASTLEWELLAN, Complainant Thos MAGREEVY Of Magheramayo, Defendant Assault & attempt to force open his door John Keown, Esq Settled

MICHL MCCARTAN & JOHN MCCARTAN of BURRENREAGH, Complainant Pat McMullen Junr. & Edwd McQuoid of Ballylough, Defendants Feloniously riding off two horses their property on the 18th ultimo John Law, Esq Examinations granted.

EDWD MCCARTAN of DRUMENA, Complainant

Terence Teaken Stephen Michl Pat & John of Drumena, Defendants Challenge to fight and threats to do injury on the 24th Decr last Earl Annesley Settled

Pat Teaken of Drumena, Complainant

JOHN MCCARTAN Con Maginnes Pat McManus & Hugh Cunningham, Defendants Assault on 20th ult William Beers Settled

MICHL MCCARTAN of CASTLEWELLAN, Complainant Edwd. Magreevy of Clerkhill, Defendant Assaulting his house & breaking his windows on the 26th ult John Law, Esq.

No appearance

Francis Milligan of Slieveniskey, Complainant Columb Morgan Francis Morgan & FRANCIS MCCARTAN of Slieveniskey, Defendants Assault on the 16th inst John Law, Esq.

Dismissed

20 Feb 1826

HUGH MCCARTAN of BACKADERRY, Complainant Hugh Telford of Leitrim, Defendant Keeping dogs by which he has sustained injury Wm Beers, Esq Don't appear

6 Mar 1826

John McMullen of Ballywillwill, Complainant BERND. MCCARTAN of BALLYWILWILL, Defendant Assault on the 20th ulto Wm Beers Esq Settled

3 Apr 1826

FRAS MCCARTAN of SLIEVENISKEY, Complainant Brian Dornan of Slieveniskey, Defendant non-payment of wages for teaching children 15s/1d Wm Beers, Esq Don't Appear.

1 May 1826

Henry McElroy of Leitrim, Complainant

JOHN MCCARTAN of CASTLEWELLAN, Defendant Holding a promisary note the amount of same being paid etc John Law Esq Promissory Note to be returned by John McCartan to Henry McLeroy

15 May 1826

Danl Rogan of Guinnis, Complainant

Peter Magouran & DANL MCCARTAN of CLANVARAGHAN, Defendant Assault & forcibly taking a pig from Complainant on the first inst.

John Law, Esq

Settled

Bernd. Laughlin of Slieveniskey, Complainant MICHL MCCARTAN of SLIEVENISKEY, Defendant Forcibly taking a cow sold to Complainant & holding 4s/1d of earnest John Law Esq No appearance

29 May 1826

John Jelly of ?, Complainant

John Fisher, Robt McAlister Thos Shimmon & Robt McCartan of Clarkhill & Castlewellan, Defendants Trepassing on he Demense of the Rt Hon Earl Annesley John Law, Esq

Owen Murphy & Neill Murray of Clanvaraghan, Complainants MICHL MCCARTAN BERND JAMES & WILLIAM of SLIEVENISKEY Assualt on the 24th inst John Law, Esq Settled

BERND MCCARTAN of BURRINREAGH, Complainant Sally Cowan, of Burrinreagh, Defendant Fraudently (sic) receiving wool etc. knowing same to have been stolen Postponed to another court date.

12 June 1826

Serjt. Campbell of Castlewellan Police, Complainant BRIAN MCCARTAN of BALLYMAGREHAN Making and burning bricks near the public road John Law, Esq Dismissed

14 Aug 1826

Thos Shimmon of Castlewellan, Complainant EDWD MCCARTAN of Tullymore, Defendant Non-payment ofwages amt $1.11.7 John Law, Esq MCCARTAN to pay $1.11.7.

28 Aug 1826

KITTY MCCARTAN of MONEYSCALP, Complainant Widow Hamilton of Glassdrumond No-payment of wages $1.2..9 Earl Annesley Don't appear.

Peter Rush of Mayadd, Complainant

MICHAEL MCCARTAN of Greenan

Taking Limestone from the beach at Newcastle John Law, Esq

11 Sept 1826

Mathw. Murray of Drumnaquile, Complainant DANL MCCARTAN of BALLYWILWILL, Defendant Maliciously killing five geese, Complaint's property John Law, Esq

Andw. McKnight of Carnacavil, Complainant EDWD MCCARTAN of TALLYMORE, Defendant Non-payment of wages for drawing timber $4.1.3.

William Beers, Esq.

Settled.

To pay 2s/6d or three geese

MICHAEL MCCARTAN of CASTLEWELLAN, Complainant Danl Rice & Michl Mageean of Gargory, Defendants Assault and forcing open his house on the first inst.

Early Annesley

Settled

25 Sept 1826

PETER MCCARTAN of CLARKHILL, Complainant Wilm Brown & his wife of same, Defendants Assault & injuring is property Earl Annesley Settled

Wilm Brown of Clarkhill, Complainant

PETER MCCARTAN, THOS MCCARTAN, john Keown & Pat Keown Of Clarkhill, Defendants Assaulting him his wife and child and takng his spade on the 15th inst Summons granted Earl Annesley Settled

Wm Steele of Ballyhaffery, Complainant

EDWD MCCARTAN of TALLYMORE, Defendant

non payment of wages amt $2.17.11

John Law, Esq

No appearance.

9 Oct 1826

Michael O'Hare of Backaderry, Complainant DANL MCCARTAN of BACKADERRY, Defendant Assault and rescue on the 2nd inst John Law, Esq Settled

Willm Steele of Ballyhaffery, Complainant EDWD MCCARTAN of TULLYMORE, Defendant Non-payment of wages $1.17.11 John Keown, Esq Postponed to next court day.

John McCullen of Ballylough, Complainant JOHN MCCARTAN of Ballylough, Defendant Assault on the 5th inst John Law, Esq Don't appear.

DANL MCCARTAN of BACKADERRY, Complainant John O'Hare of Backaderry, Defendant assault on 2nd inst John Law, Esq Don't Appear.