Reaching out to anyone who has affiliation with or knows of the family of Hugh and Mary Cleland, née McGiffert. Both Hugh and Mary were born in the 1790s, Hugh died in c1856, Mary not Known. They had a number of children, uncovered so far are, Hugh b 1817, William, James, Joseph, Robert, Thomas (Rev), and Jane. Hugh, Joseph and Robert immigrated to New Zealand in the 1850s. From Hugh Snr' will we know the family lived and farmed in the Killinchy Woods area. My name is Christine Winter, née Cleland, Hugh Snr was my g g grandfather, little is known about the family in Ireland and I would love to hear from anyone who could help. (tandtwinter@yahoo.com)
Saturday 27th Feb 2016, 12:36AM
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Several Cleland households listed in Killinchy in the woods in the tithes in 1827. See:
http://www.irishgenealogyhub.com/down/tithe-applotment-books/killyleagh-parish.php#.VtFZnlJ2ug0
Griffiths Valuation for 1863 lists 3 Cleland households in Killinchy in the Woods. William on plot 12, an 11 acre farm, James on plot 30 a 60 acre farm and Mary next door on plot 31 a 28 acre farm. When a woman is listed in Griffiths she’s often a widow so that could be the wife of Hugh Cleland snr. These farms are near the modern Derryboy Rd.
The revaluation records show that Mary was deleted as tenant in 1868 (indicative that she had died). at which point she was replaced by Thomas. Then in 1875 the famr was then split between John Cleland and James Cleland.
http://apps.proni.gov.uk/Val12B/ImageResult.aspx
4 Cleland households there in 1901:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Crossgar/Killinchy_in_the_Woods/
The families were all Presbyterian. If they attended Killyleagh 1st Presbyterian church then the following records exist, and are kept in PRONI in Belfast:
1st Killyleagh Baptisms, 1693-1757 and 1835-1881; marriages, 1692- 1757, 1833-51 and 1854-72; minute books, 1725-32, and 1809-70; accounts, 1820-60; communion rolls, 1835-70.
Probate abstracts:
The Will of James Cleland late of Killinchy Woods County Down Farmer deceased who died 2 November 1869 at same place was proved at Belfast by the oaths of James Cleland and Thomas Cleland both of Killinchy Woods (Crossgar) aforesaid Farmers the Executors.
The Will of John Cleland late of Killinchy Woods County Down Farmer who died 4 June 1889 at same place was proved at Belfast by James Cleland and Samuel Murray both of Killinehy Woods Farmers two of the Executors.
Both the above wills are on-line on the PRONI wills site.
http://apps.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar_IE/WillsSearchResults…
PRONI have a total of 12 probate files for Clelands of Killinchy in the Woods.
Possible death for Mary Cleland registered Downpatrick 9th May 1872, aged 89. You can view the original certificate on-line on the GRONI website, using the “search registrations” option:
You will need to open an account and buy some credits. It costs £2 (sterling) to a view a certificate.
Some estate papers in PRONI (Fond D776):
Release of lands in Killyleagh, Co. Down, Archibald Rowan Hamilton to Andrew Coffey and John Gordon, all of Killyleagh, 1808; probate of Hugh Dickson, Ballynahinch, Co. Down, 1840; administration of Thomas Wallace, Killyleagh, Co. Down, 1858; residuary accounts relating to Rev. Thomas Cleland, Fruithill, Co. Londonderry and Killinchy in the Woods, Co. Down, 1878.
D776/7
Solicitors statement of costs and receipt relating to the estate of Rev. Thomas Cleland, deceased (8 August 1873), Presbyterian Clergyman, late of Fruithill, Co. Londonderry and Killinchy Woods, Co. Down.
D1167/1/255 dated 3rd April 1753
James Clewlow, Killyleagh to James Clelland, Killinchy in the Woods. Lease for 3 lives or 31 years. Rent £20. 9. 10. Covenants as in D1167/1/252. Part of Killinchy in the Woods.
Note: A 3 lives lease is often well worth looking at if the 3 named are related to each other. It usually gives their ages and some indication of their relationship to each other (if there is one).
T1862/1 There’s a will for Hugh Cleland in 1856. "Copy will of Hugh Cleland, Killinchy in the Woods, Co. Down re farm at Killinchy in the Woods, Co. Down".
The documents referred to above in PRONI are not on-line (save for a couple of the wills) and so a personal visit is required to view them.
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘