Richard Pike / Isabella Downing Marriage 1856

Sarah J,

On the paid site Roots Ireland, this marriage took place 7 Feb 1854. Richard's residence is listed as Derry, and his occupation is a farmer. His father is George Pike.

Isabella's residence is Broagh, Co. Derry, and father is John Downing. The two witnesses were John Wilson & Robert Wilson. The parish is St. Columb's, and both were

Church of Ireland.

Regards,

I forgot to add that both George Pike and John Downing's occupations were farmers.

Sarah J,

Here’s a link to the marriage certificate:

5433159.pdf (irishgenealogy.ie)

Griffiths Valuation (1859) lists John Downing in Broagh. He was farming plot 14, a total of about 18 acres. I think the groom also came from that townland as I see Richard Pyke nearby on plot 7, farming 21 acres. The Pike/Pyke farm today is on the Broagh Rd and the Downing farm a few hundred yards away on the Hillhead Rd, not far from the village of Knockloughrim (and some 30 miles from Londonderry but close to Maghera).

Death here for a Richard Pike of Broagh, reported by another Richard Pike:

4872001.pdf (irishgenealogy.ie)

No Pikes in the townland in the 1901 census but there was a Downing household:

National Archives: Census of Ireland 1911

A John Downing there in 1831:

National Archives: Census of Ireland 1911

Two probate abstracts from the PRONI wills site (both died intestate):

Administration of the Estate of John Downing late of Broagh Knockloughrim County Londonderry Farmer who died 7 January 1902 granted at Londonderry to Adam Downing Farmer Effects £148

Downing John of Broagh county Londonderry farmer died 7 August 1920 Administration Londonderry 4 June to Adam Downing farmer. Effects £25.

No sign of the Pike family anywhere in the county in 1831 so possibly they moved into the area sometime after that year.