HOUSE IN CROSSKENNAN

Looking at Griffiths Valuation for 1862 Samuel Russell is listed as renting plot 18 in Crosskennan which was a 38 acre farm.  The modern map that accompanies Griffiths suggests that’s today's cake factory.

The Valuation Revision records take Griffiths forwards. They are on the PRONI site. They indicate that in 1875 Samuel acquired plot 17 as well as 18. In 1880 he has also acquired plots 11 & 13. There are 3 houses within that collection and the records don’t show which one Samuel himself was living in.

By 1887 Samuel Russell jnr is shown against plots 11, 13, 14 , 15, 17 & 18. There were no houses on 14 or 15, and on 18 the house and forge were sublet to John Graham. Samuel could have lived in 11, 13 or 17 all of which had houses.

By 1903 plot 11a was let to James Russell. Samuel Russell jr had plots 13, 14, 15, 17 & 18 with the house and forge on 18 still sublet to John Graham. Whether James ever actually lived in plot 11 is unclear. Though there was a house there, I can see from the 1901 & 1911 censuses that he was living with Samuel in both years. So he may simply have farmed the land but lived with his brother and the house on 11 was unoccupied.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Antrim_Rural/Cr…

By 1906 the house and forge on 18 is rented by Samuel to J. Coulter and Antrim Rural District council have built a labourer’s cottage on 18 (shown as 18a).

By 1922 the house on 11 is deleted though James Russell continues to rent the land. The house is noted “roof falling”. Samuel junior’s name remains against the other properties with houses on 13 & 17. That’s also the position in 1929. 

The on-line records stop in 1929 but there are paper records in PRONI in the VAL 3 series which take the ownership and tenancy details forward to the 1960s. A personal visit is required to view them.

Summing up, it looks as though the Russell family started out in plot 18 but later lived in 11, 13 or 17. Latterly they had a choice of houses on plots 13 and 17.

In 1929 they hadn’t bought the freeholds of any of those properties. They were all still rented either from the Boals or from the Skeffington estate (Viscount Massereene & Ferrard).

Probate abstracts from the PRONI wills site:

The Will of Samuel Russell late of Crosscannon County Antrim Farmer who died 12 March 1890 at same place was proved at Belfast by John Russell of Castlegore and Samuel Armstrong Russell and James Russell both of Crosscannon all in said County Farmers the Executors.

Administration of the Estate of James Russell late of Crosskennon County Antrim Horse Dealer who died 18 September 1911 granted at Belfast to Samuel A. Russell Farmer.

18th May 1917 Administration of the Unadministered Estate of James Russell late of Crosskinnon County Antrim Horse Dealer who died 18 September 1911 granted at Belfast to William H. Russell Gentleman.

Probate of the Will of Samuel Armstrong Russell late of Crosskennon County Antrim Farmer who died 17 January 1916 granted at Belfast to David Graham Farmer and James L.Clark Clerk

Hi Elwyn

Thank you so much for all of this information. I do know that my direct ancestor John Russell and a few of his siblings were born in Wallburn Cottage and they were all born thoughout the 1840's-1850's and plot 18 was the one Samuel snr was renting then. Samuel snr's wife Eliza died at Wallburn Cottage as did Samuel snr n 1890, so still thinking plot 18 and where #38 Crosskennan Road is could be where Wallburn Cottage was.

In 2018 J&M Duncan are listed at 38 Crosskennan Rd in Wallburn House - maybe cottage changed to a house?

There seems to be a number of Wallburn buildings - the cottage, house, Wallburn Bridge and Wallburn Hall do you have any idea on this connection in the area?

Kind regards

Anne
 

Sorry I have no idea about the origins of Wallburn. I live quite close by but it means nothing to me. I presume you have asked the current occupants if they know anything, and they don’t? Not too unusual. Is there perhaps a burn (small river) running near the properties? If so, perhaps they are named after it.

I had a look in the Ordnance Survey memoirs for Antrim (1838) but I don’t see any mention of Wallburn. I also have a copy of Bobby Cameron’s book Antrim & Beyond (part 1). Again I don’t see a mention of Wallburn.

Thank you so much Elwyn for all of your information.

Kind regards

Anne

And you will be able to help with interior design?

Can you help? I have long dreamed of buying myself either an apartment or a house. I looked at the pros and cons of houses and apartments. I'm more inclined to buy a 7 bedroom apartment kips bay. This is quite a spacious apartment. Large kitchen and bedroom. Very quickly heated. The windows overlook the courtyard. And the cool thing is that the building has a gym. The house on the ground also has its advantages. For example, fresh air. Children will spend most of their time outside. Please help me.

I am happy about the fact that you have such influential people in your lineage. My great-grandfather told me about John Russell and constantly praised the man. I also want to respond in the same way to the guy choosing between a house and an apartment. If I were you, I would choose the house because it has the advantages you've already outlined. Also, if you want to build a house from scratch, you can select the layout of the rooms to your liking. A vast number of residential architects can help you with this, so it's not as difficult as it may seem at first glance. In any case, the choice is yours.