In our last post we looked at the life of Hugh Boyd (1690-1765) whose remarkable success in industry was shadowed by family heartache in the early death of his eldest son William and the seeming life-limiting disability of his second son Daniel, who may also have predeceased him. The future of his legacy now fell to his grandsons Alexander and Hugh.
Alexander Boyd (c1736-1770), High Sheriff of Co. Antrim 1761
We know from his marriage settlement of 3 March 1758 that Alexander was named as his grandfather’s heir apparent suggesting his father William had predeceased him. On his grandfather Hugh’s death in 1765 he became heir to the Ballycastle estates as stipulated in his grandfaather’s will. He was then around thirty years old and four years earlier he had followed a now family tradition in his election to the post of High Sheriff for County Antrim in 1761.
Alexander and wife Anna Maria Acheson had at least three children together, Mary Anne, Rosetta and Anna Maria1 in what was sadly a brief marriage. He died2 at York, England and was buried at St Mary Bishophill Senior, York, England on 18 April 1770. His death was recorded in the Belfast News-Letter some weeks later.3 The circumstances of his being in York or those surrounding his death are as yet unknown.
Anna Maria married4 a second time to Rev Henry Maxwell (c1729-1816) of Dromore, Co Down on 15 June 1772 at St Lawrence’s Church, Exeter, Devon, England and died some time between 10 July 1800 and 28 September 1801 at which time her estate passed to her second husband Rev Henry Maxwell.
Of Alexander and Anna Maria’s children; Mary Anne married Col Nathaniel Montgomery-Moore MP (1757-1834) of Garvey, Co Tyrone on 18/19 May 1785.5 Rosetta married her first cousin Hugh Boyd son of her uncle Ezekiel Davys Boyd some time before 23 February 17876 and Anna Maria likely died unmarried.
An interesting piece of local history was the creation of what was likely the first Masonic Lodge, No.4317, in Ballycastle, Co Antrim on 5 January 1765. Entries from the roll book are as follows:
Founding Members
Alexander Boyd Esq. (probably of the Manor House, Ballycastle)
James Boyd Esq. (probably of ‘White Hall’, Gortamaddy)
Alexander Montgomery Esq.
Later members the same day
Alexander Boyd Sen Esq. (probably of Clare Park)
Ezekiel Davys Boyd Esq. (probably son of Col William Boyd)
Coll. McDonnell
John McAllester Gent.
Rev Robert Hill (Vicar of Ramoan, 1765-1785)
Thomas Smith Jeudwin Gent (involved with Ballycastle Glass manufactury)
24 June 1766
Hugh Boyd Esq. (probably (II) of Ballycastle, Co Antrim)
Rev Alexander Cuppage (probably son-in-law of Col William Boyd)
Randle McAlister Merchant
William McNeale Merchant
John Stewart Gent.
24 June 1769
John Merry (transfer from Lodge 77)
James Boyd Jun.
James O’Hagan
5 June 1770
Alexander McAuley (probably Alexander McAuley (1736-1817))
William Boyd
3 March 1772
Allison Campbell (transfer from Lodge No.135)
15 March 1800
Ezekiel Davys Boyd jun (probably the (II) (1768-1835))
Jackson Wray jun (probably of Bentfield, Co Antrim (b.1747))
Henry Clark
17 May 1801
Robert Trail (transfer from Lodge No.408)
Alexander Murray (transfer from Lodge No.365)
Adam Fulton (transfer from Lodge No.365)
With no male heir through Alexander Boyd (c1736-1770) the Ballycastle estates passed to his brother Hugh Boyd (II) in 1770.
Hugh Boyd (II) (c1737-1782), High Sheriff of Co. Antrim 1773
As mentioned in our previous post, Hugh Boyd (II) had likely married Mary Hill on 8 October 1757. There is no known record of any issue from the marriage.
There is limited information on how the Ballycastle estates and businesses were doing during the tenure of Hugh Boyd (II) but a report to the Irish House of Commons on 6 November 1781 detailing the import of coal to dublin makes interesting reading:
An Account8 of the Quantity of irish Coals imported into Dublin for four years, ending the 25th March 1781, distinguishing the Ports from whence imported.
Apart from a relatively poor year in 1778 coal shipped to Dublin from Ballycastle held up very well with a major export of over 5,000 tons in 1781. We should also note that Hugh Boyd (II) is recorded on over sixty leases and indentures etc. during the years 1770-82 suggesting he was actively involved in managing the estates. Unfortunately Hugh died on Sunday 6 January 1782 as recorded in the Belfast News-Letter9 and aged around 45 years old. As with brother Alexander his name is missing from any of the memorials in Holy Trinity Church, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim.
Ezekiel Davys Boyd (c1740-1801), High Sheriff of Co. Antrim 1776
With no male heirs from the issue of Alexander Boyd and Hugh Boyd the Ballycastle estates passed to their surviving brother Ezekiel Davys Boyd. He had previously married Amy Frisbey (1734-1824), daughter of John Frisbey of Jamaica and Frances Palmer on 26 October 1762. She was then a widow having previously married George Fullerton of St Annes, Middlesex, Jamaica who had died c1759/6010. George Fullerton and Amy Frisbey had only one child, a daughter Catherine (b. 26 May 1753), who was living at the time of her father’s will in 1759.
Returning to Ezekiel Davys Boyd; he and Amy had at least six children, Sarah Catherine (b. 7 September 1763), Hugh (III) (b. 23 February 1765), William (b. 10 February 1766), Francis (b. 19 July 1767), Ezekiel Davys (II) (b. 9 August 1768) and Amelia ‘Amy’ (b. c1771). By the time Ezekiel Davys Boyd had inherited the Ballycastle estates he had already been High Sheriff of Co. Antrim in 1776. He had been left the Mill at Mosside, Co. Antrim in his grandfather’s will but now he was solely responsible for everything, or was he?
Looking at leases made in relation to the Ballycastle estates we can see between 1783 and early 1787 Ezekiel Davys Boyd appears to be the the principal lessor. During this period, in 1784, the area around Ballycastle was the subject of a visit by Rev William Hamilton DD MRIA who provides us with an independant, although establishment view, on the state of the town and businesses of Ballycastle at the time. In one of his letters of the time he writes:
“LETTER III.
Portrush, July 30, 1784
Dear Sir,
On my return from Raghery [Rathlin] I spent a few days at Ballycastle, a town pretty considerable in this part of the world, which has been almost entirely the creation of one man, a Mr. Boyd, who died some years ago.
According to the Persian system of moral duties*, it is likely Ireland cannot boast of an individual who has more fully discharged his trust, than old Mr. Boyd. Not possessed of any considerable fortune, not supported by powerful natural connexions, nor endowed with any very superior talents, this man opened public roads, formed a harbour, built a town, established manufactures, and lived to see a wild and lawless country become populous, cultivated and civillzed. — In the most literal sense, his soul seems to have animated this little colony; in him it enjoyed life and strength, and with him all vigour and animation perished. — By an ill-judged distribution of his fortune, and various untoward and unforeseen accidents, the manufactures of glass were neglected, the breweries and tanneries were mismanaged, the harbour became choaked up with sand, and even the collieries (from particular circumstances) are not wrought with such spirit as the present proprietor would wish to exert. — In short, this gentleman constructed a most excellent machine, but unfortunately left it without any permanent principle of motion.
He was buried in a neat and beautiful chapel, (whose establishment had been the favourite object of his old age) on the same day in which it was consecrated to the religious service of the public.
*Faire un Enfant, Planter un Arbie, & Labourer un Champ. — Vide Montesquieu’s Persian Letters.“
In this brief but devastating summary it would seem it took less than 20 years to undo much of what had been achived by the late Hugh Boyd (1690-1765). Hamilton seemed to be in no doubt as to the reasons for this turn of events – an ill-judged distribution of his (Hugh Boyd’s) fortune, various untoward and unforseen accidents, neglect and mismanagement.
In 1785/86 a survey was conducted of the Boyd Ballycastle estates by James Williamson of Ballymena in which the estate is referred to as that of Hugh Boyd Esq. It would seem therefore that the intention was that Hugh (III), son of Ezekiel Davys Boyd was to inherit the Boyd Ballycastle estates upon reaching his majority on 23 February 1786, his father acting in the capacity of a trustee until then. Curiously we find an interesting advertisement in the Belfast News-Letter on 5 June 1787:
This advertisement would seem to confirm the passing of the baton, so to speak, of father to son. We believe Ezekiel Davys Boyd moved, we presume, from the Manor House to a nearby property on the Quay as a further advertisment placed in the Belfast News-Letter on 24 November 1801 after his death provides some evidence:
Ezekiel Davys Boyd died, according to the family memorial in Holy Trinity Church, on 23 August 1801. His widow Amy lived many more years and died, again according to the family memorial, on 9 September 1824 aged 90.
Hugh Boyd (III) (1765-1795), High Sheriff of Co. Antrim 1792, MP for Co. Antrim (1794-95 )
With Hugh Boyd (III) appearing to succeed to the Ballycastle estates in 1786 he was the third heir to Hugh Boyd (1690-1765) in just twenty one years. His uncles, the previous heirs, had died young and in all likelihood too soon to fully acquit themselves with the family businesses and land portfolios. This most likely impacted on the stability and viablity of the family’s finances.
We know, as mentioned in our last post, that Hugh Boyd (III) was educated at the ‘Whitepark School for Young Gentleman’ by Rev William Sturrock/Sterrick, Vicar of Culfeightrin (1770-77). From there he entered Trinity College Dublin on 27 November 1782, aged 17. Although there is no record of him acheiving a formal degree he was recorded as ‘Socius Comitatus’ or a ‘Fellow Commoner’ suggesting his father paid higher fees and enabling Hugh to finish his designated course in three years instead of four. It would appear therefore that at the time of reaching his majority Hugh Boyd had a significant education which it was likley hoped would better equip him to manage the family’s estates and businesses.
We referred earlier to the survey of the Ballycastle estates in 1785/86 which was found in a bound volume of maps and tables discovered amongst the estate archives a number of years ago. We are grateful to Mr Stephen Goodhart, current landlord of the Boyd Ballycastle estates and messrs ‘Greer Hamilton & Gailey, Solicitors’ of Ballymoney, Co Antrim who kindly gave us access to the volume and surveys in recent years. The maps in the volume have survived in the most remarkable condition and are a wonderful historical record of the local area nearly 250 years ago. Perhaps the most remarkable map is that denoting the Town parks of Ballycastle which had been created by 1785/6 replacing around nine older sub townlands etc. of more ancient origin.
With his education complete and accession to his majority and the Ballycastle estates it remained only for Hugh Boyd to consider a suitable marriage. This came in the form of his first cousin, Rosetta (b. c1765), daughter to his late uncle Alexander Boyd (c1736-1770). Although no record has been found for the marriage we can calculate from the birth year of their eldest son Hugh (IV), that is was likely c1786/7.
From 1786 until 1795 there was a flurry of activity from Hugh Boyd (III) by way of over sixty leases, articles, mortgages etc. In 1792 Hugh is made High Sheriff of Co. Antrim and in 1794 MP11 for Co. Antrim. All of these were possibly signs that Hugh was looking to emulate his great grandfather. There is limited information on the short political career of Hugh Boyd but is interesting to note that he voted for Catholic emancipation in 1795 although this was defeated by the recall of the reformist Lord Lieutenant, Earl Fitzwilliam the same year. Hugh was also a member of the Northern Whig Club12 whose more radical members would later become involved in the formation of the United Irishmen.
By 1795 Hugh Boyd and wife Rosetta had at least five children, Amy (1787-1830), Hugh (IV) (1788-1862), Alexander (1789-1868), Harriet (1790-1864) and Anna Maria (c1794-1839). Sadly these children would soon lose their father and what seemed like a potential reversal of the family’s fortunes turned to tragedy. On a visit to Coagh, Co Tyrone, Hugh Boyd (III) died. A notice of his death was published in the Belfast News-Letter on 27 November 1795.
Thankfully Hugh Boyd (III) had already prepared a Will a year earlier on 12 November 1794 and a transcribed copy of the Will dating to 1909 was recently found in PRONI13. The Will directed that his estate was to pass to messrs John Campbell of Belfast Esq., James Stewart Moore of Ballydivity Esq. (1773-1845), and his brother Ezekiel Davys Boyd (II) (1768-1835) the younger of Ballycastle Esq. and their heirs etc. as trustees to his children and subject to the following:
“In trust to receive the Rents, Issues and profits of all and every my said Real estate, lands, tenements and hereditaments aforesd until my eldest son Hugh Boyd shall attain the age of twenty five years.“
The Will defined a lengthy process of inheritance passing through each of the children, firstly the sons by seniority of birth and their lawful male heirs and then the daughters by seniority of birth and their lawful male heirs and then failing, returning to the female heirs of the sons and daughters by seniority. Interestingly the youngest daughter Anna Maria was not named but referred to as the next daughter suggesting she may have only been born shortly before the Will was made. In the event that his entire family line failed the estate was to pass to the issue of his brother Ezekiel Davys Boyd (II).
The Will further devised a provision for the younger children of any heir as follows:
“..in case there shall be but one younger child, with the sum of two thousand pounds for the portion of such younger child; if two younger children with the sum of three thousand pounds, if three younger children with the sum of four thousand pounds, and if more than three younger children with the sum of one thousand pounds a piece for each and every of such younger children..”
The Will then records an alarming fact regarding the estates:
“And whereas my said estates at this time stand charged with mortgages to the amount of twenty one thousand pounds sterling [£21,000] due to James Watson Hull Esq. [of Belvedere, Drumbo parish, Co Down (1758-1831)]14 & bearing interest at the rate of six pounds per centum per annum; and whereas it is highly probable that in a short time it will be easy to obtain money at a lower rate of interest; I do therefore request that my said trustees may use their best endeavours to procure money at a lower rate of interest for the purpose of paying off the said mortgages agreeable to the tenor and intention of a covenant contained in the said mortgages…”
We then find an additional clause in relation to inheritance:
“Provided also and it is my will and meaning, that all and each and every of the persons to whom my said real estates shall hereafter at any time respectively come, by virtue of or under the limitations of this my will, shall assume and take the surname of Boyd in the place of their former name or names, and in case any such person to whom the said estates shall come as aforesaid under this my will, do neglect for six months after the said estates have so devolved upon them, to assume and take the said name of Boyd, I order and direct my said real estates to go and belong to the person next in remainder to my said estates under this my will in the same manner as if the said person so neglecting to take and assume the said name of Boyd had been and was dead.”
A legacy of £2,000 each was provided for each of Hugh’s surviving children who did not succeed to the estate and payable with interest on them attaining the age of twenty one or in the case of his daughters if they married younger with the consent of his executors.
Finally additional legacies as follows:
To my wife Rose [Rosetta] Boyd the sum of fifty pounds sterling to purchase mourning.
I give and bequeath to my trustees, to wit, John Campbell, James Stewart Moore and Ezekiel Davys Boyd [II], the sum of fifty pounds sterling each, which I request they will accept of as a token of my affection, and a small recompence for the trouble they must have.
I give and bequeath the sum of fifty pounds to the poor of the parish of Ramoan and that part of my estate lying in the parish of Culfeightrim etc…
The excutors were allowed to draw the sum of £8 yearly for eight years together with two further sums of £50 and £20, the purposes for which are described as privately directed. He further orders:
“..that the title deeds of my said estates, which lie in an Iron Chest in my office, together with the counterparts of tenants leases, with all papers of consequence relative to my said estates (some of which are at present in the hands of my friend Thomas Ludford Stewart15) shall be collected and deposited in the said Iron Chest, and that the same shall be lodged with my said Executor John Campbell..”
Interestingly the Will appears to leave no provision for his wife Rose/Rosetta in her widowhood and we find that she later remarried at Bathwick Church, Somerset, England to James Stephens of Camerton House, Somerset, England on 11 July 1804. At that time none of the children born to her and Hugh Boyd (III) had reached their ages of majority. There does not appear to have been any issue from the marriage of Rosetta and James Stephens. Rosetta Stephens née Boyd died on 16 February 1835 at 18 Dorset Square, St Marylebone, London, England. In her Will16, Rosetta left provision for her daughter Harriet and grandaughter Henrietta for their sole uses, free from any interference.
Hugh Boyd (IV) (1788-1862)
As we seen above from the Will of Hugh Boyd (III) it was intended that his eldest son Hugh (IV) would inherit the Ballycastle estates etc. on reaching the age of twenty five therefore c1813/14. However this was not to be the case as it would appear that someone initiated a process of lunacy under the Royal Prerogative which led to the estates being taken under the jurisdiction of the Lord High Chancellor of Ireland and the Chancery Court. The earliest reference found to this process is found in a notice placed in the Belfast News-Letter on 10 January 1815:
Of course the term lunatic is rightly considered offensive today, however in the 18th and early 19th century it was one of two terms which carried legal standing when dealing with the estates of persons who were considered to have diminished or limited capacity by birth or illness etc. The term lunatic was used in the case of a person who was diminished by capacity, often by illness, but in which a recovery may be possible whereby they could resume full responsibility for their estates. At the time such persons were not under the protection of parliamentary laws as they did not exist. Instead they were afforded protection through the older powers of Royal Prerogative. It was the duty of the Sovereign to protect such subjects and therefore the Royal representative i.e. Lord High Chancellor to intervene and facilitate protections until such times as the person would be able to manage their own affairs. This was usually done by appointing a person or persons as the ‘Committee of Estate’ in each case and they would have power to manage the affairs and maintenance of the individual involved. The intention was that such Committee would be required to be impartial and serve to protect the estates of the individual.
From the notice above it would appear that Alexander McNeill Esq. (1762-1838) of Colliers Hall, was appointed Receiver of the Estate under the Commission of Estate and Richard Waring had been appointed as the legal representative acting on behalf of the Chancery Court. From the notice above we see what appears to be the first act of the Commission of Estate in letting lands in the townlands of Carnduff and Carnsampson for 21 years and also the Ballycastle Colliery for 7 years. After the death of Alexander McNeill in 1838 his position as receiver in the Commission of Estate for Hugh Boyd (IV) was taken by his son-in-law Alexander Miller (c1794-1858).
Despite the intention of the Commission and Chancery Court to protect the estates, the issue of leases for terms as little as 7 years was a serious hinderance to any potential investors and worse was the discovery of a round of reletting which took place in 1806 through the instruction of Ezekiel Davys Boyd (II), uncle to Hugh Boyd (IV) and trustee during his minority. It would appear that Ezekiel Davys Boyd (II) had acted alone in granting a number of leases to sitting tenants of the Ballycastle estates on the basis of “lives renewable for ever“. However as most of the leases were not approved or co-signed by the other remaining trustee James Stewart Moore of Ballydivity Esq. they were considered illegal and by May 1850 a process of ejectment had been undertaken by the Chancery Court to remove those tenants holding the said leases.
The restrictive practices of the Chancery Court on the Boyd Ballycastle estates and the major error in the leases granted in 1806 most likely led to a period of significant ill-feeling and resentment amongst local people towards their long standing landlords. A tenant wrote anonymously to the editor of the Freemans Journal on 27 June 1850 to explain the plight of the affected tenants:
Unfortunately no relief was in sight. By 1857 Alexander Boyd, brother of Hugh (IV) Boyd had made an attempt to resurrect the harbour at Ballycastle which had suffered from weather, silting and neglect over many years. Representation was made to the Chancery Court to garner support for investment etc. The proceedings were recorded and published by the Belfast Mercury on 18 April 1857.
On 6 March 1862 Hugh Boyd (IV) died at Connor Glebe, home of the Rev Francis Dobbs17, Prebend of Connor at the time, who had apparently cared for him for some years. Hugh Boyd (IV) was buried on Tuesday 11 March 1862 in the family vault in Holy Trinity Church, Ballycastle, Co Antrim. Almost two columns of the Coleraine Chronicle of 15 March was devoted to his obituary and commentary on the funeral itself which appeared to have been well attended by local gentry etc., with local businesses closed as a mark of respect.
On 5 April 1862 the Coleraine Chronicle printed a notice detailing the change of landlord and associated agents:
Alexander Boyd (II) (1789-1868)
Alexander Boyd (II) inherited the Ballycastle estates from his brother on 6 March 1862 and in accordance with his father’s Will, as there was no known issue from Hugh Boyd (IV) who appeared to have died unmarried. Alexander had previously married18 Anne Huey of Newtownlimavady (Limavady), Co Londonderry on 29 October 1818:
Following their marriage the couple appear to have lived in Clontarf, Co Dublin as evidenced by the baptism of their children, Amy Anne (b. 9 August 1827) and Alexander Hugh (b. 22 August 1829). Sadly it appears both these children likely died as infants. By 1837 the couple were residing at Williams Town Castle (now Blackrock College) and a curious notice printed in the Western Times on 11 November hints at an aspect of Alexander’s life that played a major role in how events would play out in his later life:
With the death of brother Hugh Boyd (IV) on 6 March 1862 Alexander Boyd returned to Ballycastle to assume his inheritance of the Ballycastle estates. The return was covered in the Coleraine Chronicle on 16 August 1862.
The mood presented by the Chronicle seemed to suggest a new era in the Boyd family fortunes and perhaps those of the town. However we must understand that Alexander was now in his seventies. Realistically how much time and health had he left to turn things around. Sadly there was indeed little time left. On 2 June 1868 Alexander Boyd died in Newtownlimavady (Limavady), Co Londonderry at the residence of Henry Tyler Esq. JP (publisher of ‘The Ash MSS, 1890), nephew to his wife Anne, who we presume was caring for him at the time. His wife Anne had predeceased him at the Mansion House, Ballycastle the previous year on 9 April 186719.
Sadly the Boyds of Ballycastle again became embroiled in a mire of negativity with the will of Alexander Boyd being disputed by his surviving sister Amy who had married James Humphry Keats Esq. in St Marylebone Church, London on 16 January 1820. By 1869 a suit had been lodged in the Court of Probate, Dublin by Henry Tyler, Plaintiff against Amy Keate Boyd.
The case was extensively covered and reported in the Coleraine Chronicle on 17 April 1869 with the jury, by direction, finding a verdict establishing the Will and Amy Keats née Boyd believed to have been paid around £8,000 plus costs.
Amongst the matters that came before the court was the existence of an illegitimate son to Alexander Boyd called Alexander Boyd Robinson who was believed to have returned to America. A detailed account of the testimony of Alexander Boyd Robinson was printed by the Belfast News-Letter on 5 July 1869.
Amy Boyd (c1787-1870)
Amy Boyd, eldest child of Hugh Boyd (IV) and his wife Rosetta/Rose Boyd inherited the Ballycastle estates in accordance with her father’s Will but for a period of less than two years until her death at St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, England on 2 January 1870:
Amy’s husband James Humphry Keats predeceased her in 1862. The couple had two children Caroline Rosetta Amelia (b. 1821) and Merrick (b. 1825). Merrick died in 1847 in Fulham, Middlesex, England and Caroline married John Gower O’Neill of St Leonards-on-Sea. Amy Boyd had outlived all of her siblings despite being the eldest of the five children. In accordance with the Will of her father Hugh Boyd (III) the Ballycastle estates then passed to the male heirs of her sister Harriet who had married Sir John Boyd (1786-1855) 3rd Baronet of Danson Hill, Kent, England on 22 September 1818. However Amy had also outlived their eldest child Sir John Augustus Hugh Boyd (1819-57) 4th Baronet of Danson Hill, Kent so the estates then passed to his son by Dame Honora Mary Calmady ((d.1875), Sir Harley Hugh Boyd, 5th Baronet of Danson (b.1853). As he was a minor in 1870 the Ballycastle estates were held in Chancery until 1874. A notice printed in the Coleraine Chronicle on 21 January 1871 provides an explanation of where the ownership of the Ballycastle estates rested after the death of Amy Keats.
Sir Harley Hugh Boyd, 5th Baronet Danson Hill, Kent (1853-76)
With the accession of Sir Harley Hugh Boyd to the Ballycastle estates in 1874 we now had, in him, joint ancestry back to William Boyd of Dunluce, Co Antrim (d. c1628) and Archibald Boyd 5th Laird of Portencross, Ayrshire, Scotland, centuries of recorded history through Scotland, France and Ireland. Despite this weight of lineage and history, tragedy struck the family once again.
In an obituary printed in the Illustrated London News on 5 August 1876 we find details of the death of Sir Harley Hugh Boyd:
The reasons why Sir Harley Hugh Boyd was on the SS Teuton were initially unknown. There was some confusion regarding the date of his death between 2 June and 2 July 1876. His memorial in Holy Trinity Church, Ballycastle states 2 June and tragically it would appear his only sister Catherine Emily died the same month. A remarkable obituary was placed in the Ulster Weekly News on 15 July 1876 which gave considerably more information on the death of Sir Harley than covered in the rest of the local press:
In accordance with the will of Hugh Boyd (III) the Ballycastle estates now passed to Rev Sir Frederick Boyd (1820-89), 6th Baronet Danson Hill and second son of Lady Harriet Boyd, daughter of Hugh Boyd (III).
Rev Sir Frederick Boyd BA JP (1820-89), 6th Baronet Danson Hill, Kent
Rev Sir Frederick Boyd’s father had probably presumed it unlikely he would ever succeed to the Ballycastle estates. Embarking on a career in the church was typical for a son born into high society who was unlikely to be an heir. We find he entered Charterhouse School, Surrey, England on 28 June 1831 and left in December 1839. From there he entered University College Oxford achieving a BA (4th Lit. Hum.) in 1843. Some time, probably shortly after finishing at Oxford, his clerical life began as Perpetual Curate of Brentwood in the parish of South Weald, Essex, England. In 1854 he was promoted to the position of Rector of Wouldham, Rochester, Kent, England. He was then transfered as Rector to the parish of Holwell, Bedfordshire in 1865.
Before departing Wouldham Rev Frederick Boyd married Katherine Mary Beauclerk (c1839-1867), daughter of Henry William Beauclerk (1812-94), and 4 x great grandaughter of Charles II by Eleanor ‘Nell’ Gwyn, the King’s mistress, on 1 August 1864 at St Pauls Church, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London, England. Rev Sir Frederick Boyd and Katherine Mary Beauclerk had one child, Kathleen Isabel who was baptised on 20 September 1865 in St Paul’s Church, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London, England. Katherine Mary Boyd nee Beauclerk died on 3 August 1867 at 61 Chester Square, London, England. She was just 28 years old.
Rev Sir Frederick Boyd married secondly Alice Emily Barbara Drummond (c1842-90), daughter of Rev Heneage Drummond (1810-81) on 24 January 1872 at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, England. She was also a descendant of Charles II through the Beauclerk family. Then on the death of his nephew Sir Harley Hugh Boyd in 1876 he became 6th Baronet Danson Hill, Kent and succeeded to the Ballycastle estates in accordance with the will of Hugh Boyd (III) (1765-95). He was then around 56 years old. His experience was certainly substantial as far as living was concerned but his had been the life of an established cleric and in England. Not the ideal circumstances with which to save the family estates in Ballycastle, Co Antrim.
Within a short time after taking up his new role Rev Sir Frederick Boyd involved himself in arguably the most important development of the time, providing a railway link between Ballycastle and Ballymoney. From the Northern Constitution on 20 October 1877 we find the following:
There is little doubt that the possibility of this enterprise becoming a reality brought much excitment in the district and beyond and perhaps a hint at a new era of prosperity with a new Boyd at the helm. A piece printed in the Ballymoney Free Press and Northern Counties Advertiser on 6 December 1877 certainly echoed such sentiments:
The government passed the Ballycastle Railway Act on 22 July 1878 with construction between 1879/80. An excellent article on the railway and its history by James I C Boyd can be read here. Rev Sir Frederick Boyd became a co-director and Chairman of the company and the company logo even incorporated the Boyd family arms into its design. Sadly the railway did not become the catalyst towards a new era in the towns history. It certainly provided much needed assistance in the movement of people and some goods but it merely paid its way up until the advent of WWI and by 1924 it was in crisis. The line closed in 1950. Despite the best efforts of all involved the railway would not significantly improve the towns fortunes, at least not in regard to major industries. Nothing further became of possible improvements to the harbour and regarding the Ballycastle estates, changes were coming that would impact the Boyd family finances forever.
In 1870 parliament passed the first Land Act introducing compensation for tenant improvements and legal protection for the “Ulster Custom”. 1881 saw the second Land Act establishing the ‘Three Fs’ (fair rent, fixity of tenure, and free sale) and creation of the Irish Land Commission. Then in 1885 the third Land Act established a fund enabling tenants to by land at 4% interest over a term of 48 years. All of these changes affecting the old land owning classes of Ireland and their tenants came into force during the tenure of Rev Sir Frederick Boyd. He like many other land owners were facing a future were they could no longer rely on their rental income to sustain their lifestyle and social positions. The era of landlordism in Ireland was drawing to a close.
In 1884 Rev Sir Frederick Boyd granted land in Quay road for the building of a Masonic Hall, Lodge No.89. He was made an honorary member and was said to have been a member of Apollo Lodge in Oxford. A portrait of Sir Frederick gifted in 1899 was said to have been on the walls of the hall some years ago. However it has since been converted to a private residence
On 13 February 1889 Rev Sir Frederick Boyd died at the Manor House, Ballycastle, Co Antrim. In his obituary printed in the Northern Costitution on 16 February 1889 we find that he had suffered poor health since 1874 and whilst taking respite in warmer parts helped to some degree he declined further in the period before his death. The Ballymoney Free Press printed a notice of his funeral on 28 February 1889:
Rev Sir Frederick Boyd was buried in the churchyard of St James Parish Church, Ballycastle, Co Antrim. His second wife Alice Emily Barbara died the following year on 23 February 1890.
Kathleen Isabel Boyd (1865-1944)
Finally we come to the last member of the Boyd family to possess the Ballycastle estates. The Will of Hugh Boyd (III) had made provision for the female line to succeed to the estates if the male lines failed and as no male heirs were surviving of Lady Harriet Boyd the succession fell to Kathleen Isabel only child of Rev Sir Frederick Boyd and Katherine Mary Beauclerk. The baronetcy of Danson had died with Sir Frederick and the title became extinct.
At the time of her succession to the Ballycastle estates Kathleen was around 34 years old. She was a spinster and would remain so for the rest of her days. It would fall to Kathleen to administer the breakup of the Ballycastle estates as facilitated by the various Land reforms which had taken place since the 1870s and would continue into the early 20th century. Much of the paperwork from this period can be seen in two boxes of papers held in PRONI.20
In a minor but telling incident relecting the changes in a modernising Ireland we find a curious entry in the North Antrim Standard on 7 September 1899:
In centuries past it would not have been surprising to see landlords escape justice for any crime, even the most serious, but now the heir to the Ballycastle estates must be subject to the law, even the most minor, just like anyone else.
Kathleen Boyd’s tenure was a time of enormous political tension in Ireland, mainly in relation to the Home Rule Bills. Those of the old landed class were now at a crossroads as to whether they could fit in a new Ireland or become part of the unionist cause advocating against Home Rule and eventually partition. One of the landmarks in this period was the Ulster Covenant which sought to record the objections of the mainly protestant community against the Third Home Rule Bill. The Covenant was signed by nearly 500,000 people with seperate registers for men and woman. We find that Kathleen Isabel Boyd signed the Covenant in the Orange Hall, Ballycastle, Co Antrim on 28 September 1912.
Despite her responsibilities as a landlord Kathleen was a keen sportswomen. The Edwardian era had seen a growing demand amongst woman for independence and women such as Kathleen, who had their own financial means, were increasingly coming forward to take there place in sport. A wonderful piece in the ‘Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News’ of 16 March 1901 affords us an image of Kathleen in association with her love of golf:
Kathleen’s connection to Ballycastle Golf Club was strong. She had granted the land for the course ‘rent free’ for the first 20 years and was instrumental in promoting the ladies sport at Ballycastle and elsewhere.
During her tenure Kathleen Boyd had taken on the family’s connection to the Ballycastle coalfields and in December 1917 we see the announcement of the discovery of a major coal seem in Ballycastle by the firm ‘Hickie, Aiton & Kerr’. At a gathering 21in the Dalriada Hall to celebrate a Mr Arthur Hunter responded on behalf of Miss Boyd, who was not present:
“At the outset Miss Boyd was confronted with at least four schemes, made by prospective lessees and the choice fell upon Mr Hickie, because his plan was based upon practical knowledge not only of the caolfield, but of modern mining. (Applause) These were not all the considerations, for another was the distinct statement that the development was to be industrial, not a company promotion scheme. The next important step was the correction of the existing geological records of the coalfield, which were known to be faulty and misleading. This had hardly been carried out until the Minister of Munitions became interested, and a representative was sent over to investigate as to the quality of the coal. A large sample of oil-bearing coal was despatched to the Ministry of Munitions, and analyst’s negotiations were entered into, with the result that boring was now going on to test the limit of the oil-bearing coalfields. Should these operations prove what geology asserts, then it was reasonable to assume that Ballycastle and District will again become a centre of industry without interfering in the slightest with its claims as a seaside resort (Applause)”
Sadly there was no development, either due to the armistace the following year as well as strikes. By 1919 Messrs Hickie, Aiton & McMullan who ran the mine were in severe financial difficulty with a winding up order pending. By the end of the war the world was heading into a period of economic turmoil. The Ballycastle mines were heavily affected and it was not until 1926 and a demand for high quality locally produced coal that coal production could be put on a surer footing. A piece in the Northern Whig dated 10 July 1926 provides some insight:
By 1928 the Ballycastle coalfields were purchased from Kathleen Isabel Boyd by the ‘Northern Ireland Distillation Company’. The Boyd family’s involvement with the story of coal in Ballycastle was over after over 200 years. The purchase was reported in the Irish Weekly and Ulster Examiner on 11 August 1928:
In 1926 the outworkings of the land Reform Acts were in full swing regarding the Ballycastle estates. On 3 December 1926 a Provisional List of those lands of the estate of Kathleen Isabel Boyd, Spinster, which were to become vested in the Land Purchase Commission were listed in the Belfast Gazette. Further lists followed on 14 October 1927 and 3 February 1928.
With the advent of WWII in 1939 Kathleen involved herself in various acts of fund raising locally:
By now Kathleen was in her late 70s. She had witnessed the end of the family’s involvment in the coalfields and the breakup of the Ballycastle estates under the Land Reform Acts. Soon the Boyd family’s centuries old connection with Ballycastle would come to an end.
It is interesting to note that the story of the Boyds of Ballycastle was recorded, at least in part, by two female authors during the latter half of the life of Kathleen Isabel Boyd. Firstly by Amy Isabel Young née Stuart (1885-1949) of Culdaff House, Donegal in her book ‘Three Hundred Years in Inishowen’ etc. first published in 1929 and since republished in 2018. Secondly by Charlotte Violet Trench (1877-1948) in her book ‘The Wrays of Donegal‘ etc. published in 1945. We presume that Amy Isabel Young met with Kathleen whilst researching her book and we certainly know that Charlotte Trench recorded conversations with Kathleen in her book.
Kathleen Isabel Boyd died on 1 June 1944 at the Manor House, Ballycastle, Co Antrim. Her death was announced in the local press. The announcement in the Belfast News-Letter was short and subdued. Gone were the days when most of the sons and daughters of the landed gentry would command columns in the press at their decease:
Perhaps the most significant coverage in the local press came from the Larne Times on 8 June and Ballymena Weekly News on 9 June 1944:
Kathleen Isabel Boyd was buried at St James Parish Church, Ballycastle, Co Antrim. The funeral was recorded in the Ballymena Weekly Telegraph on 9 June 1944:
With Kathleen’s death all descendant lines of the senior branch of the Boyd family were spent. The remaining elements of the Ballycastle estates passed to Captain George Cecil Downing-Fullerton (her half third cousin once removed) by her Will. Probate was granted to Sydney James Lyle Deputy Lieutenant and George Cecil Downing-Fullerton esquire on 20 September 1944 with the effects of the estate valued at £57189 3s. 11d.22
The relationship of Kathleen Isabel Boyd to George Cecil Downing-Fullerton was as follows:
Kathleen Isabel BOYD (1865-1944) was the daughter of
Rev Sir Frederick BOYD 5th Bart. BA JP (1820-1889), son of
Lady Harriet BOYD (1790-1864), daughter of
Hugh BOYD (III) MP for Co Antrim 1794/95 & high Sheriff of Antrim 1792(1765-1795), son of
Amy FRISBEY (1734-1824), mother of
Catherine FULLERTON (1753- ), mother of
George Alexander DOWNING-FULLERTON of Tockington Manor and Ballintoy (1775-1847), father of
David DOWNING-FULLERTON Esq. of Pennington House, Hants, father of
George Frederick DOWNING-FULLERTON (1857-1916), father of
Lt George Cecil DOWNING-FULLERTON (1891-1953).
On the death of George Cecil Downing-Fullerton on 26 November 1953 the Ballycastle estates passed to his son George Derek Downing-Fullerton on whose death on 18 May 2014 the estates passed to the present proprietor Mr Stephen Downing Goodhart, maternal grandson of George Cecil Downing-Fullerton.
- Three Hundred Years in Inishowen etc…, Amy Isobel Young (2018 Ed.), p.294 ↩︎
- Obituaries prior to 1800; Author: Musgrave, William, Sir, 1735-1800; Armytage, George J., Sir, 1842-1918 ↩︎
- Belfast News-Letter – 15 May 1770 ↩︎
- Marriage Settlement – Irish Deed Memorial No.193625 – 15 June 1772 see also Exeter Flying Post – 19 June 1772, p.3 ↩︎
- Marriage Settlement – Irish Deed Memorial No.246394 – 18/19 May 1785 ↩︎
- Irish Deed memorial No. 256102 – 23/24 February 1787 ↩︎
- Ancestry.com – The Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Collection: Freemasons of Ireland Membership Registers; Volume Number: Volume I ↩︎
- Journals of the House of Commons of the Kingdom of Ireland v.20 1781-82, p.124 ↩︎
- Belfast News-Letter – 11 January 1782, p.3 ↩︎
- Prerogative Will of Canterbury – NA Ref. PROB 11/855/427 ↩︎
- History of the Irish Parliament 1692-1800, Vol III, pp.232-33 ↩︎
- Ibid ↩︎
- PRONI Ref. LPC/24 ↩︎
- Irish Deed Memorial No. 256134 – 3 April 1787 ↩︎
- Thomas Ludford Stewart (c1758-1845) was Lord Mayor of Belfast (1817-18) and married Amelia ‘Amy’ Boyd sister of Hugh Boyd (III) ↩︎
- NA Ref. PROB 11/1847/188 ↩︎
- DOBBS, FRANCIS c1802-1878 – b c1802; ed by Mr Forde; ent TCD 4 June 1821 aged 19 BA 1825 MA 1832 d 1825 p 1826; C Rathlin (Conn) 1825 (Erck); Derrykeighan 1833; Inver 1850; Preb of Connor 1860-66; V Loughguile 1866-72; R Ballintoy 1872-78 – s of Rev Richard Dobbs by Harriet dau of Alexander Macauley of Glenville, Co Antrim; m 24 April 1844 St Thomas Dublin (BNL) Anna Maria dau of Rev Charles G osborne R Ch Ch Dublin. – Clergy of Connor, Canon J. B. Leslie, p.305 ↩︎
- See Irish Deed Memorial No. 220 (1862). ↩︎
- Belfast News-Letter – 10 April 1867, p.3 ↩︎
- PRONI Ref. LR1/1405/1 ↩︎
- North Antrim Standard – 13 December 1917 ↩︎
- See PRONI Will Calendars ↩︎