Calendar of Wills
in the
Diocese of Derry
(1612-1858)
Edited by
Gertrude Thrift
London: Phillimore and Co., Ltd, 120, Chancery Lane 1918
Extractions only for the Parish of Aghadowey, Desertoghill and Errigal
For further information regarding wills and the availabilty of wills read the information
at PRONI
Wills listed in Torrens family genealogical data, Richard J. Torrens, posted in zip format on his site. When you click on the above Wills link, the entire docs.zip folder will be downloaded to your site. They can be opened by using a Zip program.They are:
- 1717, A Derry will for Alexander Torrence of Carnroe, Parish of Aghadowey, witnessed 2 Nov 1716. Probate granted 29 August 1717 to Archibald, the executor.
- 1748, A Derry will for Achibald Torrence , Carnroe, Parish of Aghadowey, witnessed 3 June 1748. Probate granted 10 August 1748.
- 1771, A Derry will for Alexander Torrans of Mullahinch, Parish of Aghadowey, witnessed 31 Dec 1770. Probate granted 20 February 1771.
- 1786, A Derry will for John Haslett , Witnessed 25 May 1788. Probate not in book.
Format for this document: Name of Individual, townland, date of Probate, (* denotes date of will. No date of probate recorded)
NOTE: In cross-referencing names from the Derry Will index with the Garvagh visitation records, there are many families connection to the actual will index. Since the families stayed pretty much in the same townland, their descendants can be linked with alittle more work. In some of the early will index, only the parish was listed.
PARISH OF AGHADOWEY
- BARR, Robert, Drumstaple, 1841
- BLAIR, Robert, Keely, 1825
- BLAIRE,Thomas, Killy, 1724
- BLACK, Samuel, Shanelongford, *1795
- BOYD, Thomas, Aghadowey, (nuncupative)*1697
- BOYLE/BOYL, Thomas, Aghadowey, 1791
- BRAITHWOOD/BRATHWOD, George, Aghadowey, *1689
- CALDWELL, Mathew, Sigorey, 1779
- CALLDRWOD,John, Maleynabren, 1768, See Calderwood
- CAMRON, Simon (Rev.)Drumsteeple, 1855, See Cammeron
- CARRICK, Samuel, Cragemore, 1731, See Carick and Carik
- CARROL, Thomas, Ballycahan, 1823
- CLINTON, Francis, (lodged), 1817
- COCKHRAN, Archibald, Carrenrow, 1814
- DOUGHERTY, Henry, Clarehill, 1826
- DUNN, James, Mullaghmore, 1812
- ELDER, John, Rusky, 1779
- ESPIE, Thomas, Belmacallie Beg (Ballymacally Beg) 1636
- FERGUSON, John, Craiglea, 1791
- FULTON, William, Aghadoey, 1767
- GAGE, Robert (Rev), Aghadoey (nuncupative) *1725
- GAGE, William, Caheny, 1787
- GILMORE,James, Aghadoey, 1830
- GILMOUR, William, Glenkeen, 1816
- GOOD, Richard, Clagan, 1640
- GRISSAM, John, Ballygawley, 1844
- HANSEN (Hason), John, Ballybritain, *1780
- HENRY, Jane, Cooleyrammer (listed as Parish of Desertoghill), 1833
- HENRY, John, Cooleyrammer (listed as Parish of Desertoghill), 1732
- HENRY, Samuel, Lisnamuck, 1855
- HENRY, Timothy, Clare Hill, 1815
- HENRY, William, Mullan, 1813
- HILL,John, Ballygally *1727
- HILL, William, Belleygalley (Ballygawly) 1835
- HOGG, Robert, Crosscanly, 1826
- HOGG, Thomas, Caheny, (lodged) 1835
- HULL, John, Seagory, 1837
- HUNTER, John, Munnycarry (Moneycarrie), 1741
- HUNTER, Joseph, Ballywollen, 1742
- KENNEDY, William, Cahany, (lodged), 1841
- KNOX, Timothy, Mullan, 1806
- LAFERTY, John, Meencreg, 1805
- LAUGHLIN, James, Moyoughell, 1790
- LUSK, Robert, Tamlaught, *1827
- MCAULEY, Matthew, Ballybritain, 1837 (or McCallow, McCawley)
- MCCARTNAY, John, Clarehill, 1637
- MCILROY, Daniel, Inchadohill, 1825
- MCMULLAN, Archibald, Ballygaly, 1744
- MILLER, Mary, Culcrow, 1831
- MOONEY, William, Clare Hill, 1813
- MOOR, Edward, Clear Hill, 1804
- MULLAN, Dennis, Kiltest, 1799
- O'CONNELL, Daniell, Mobuoy (Mayboy), (nunupative), *1817
- O'FLAHERTY, Thomas, Kiltess (Kiltest), 1809
- O'MULLAN, James, Rusky, *1777
- PEDON (or Peden), Hugh, Moyoughill, 1780
- QUIGG, Daniel, Caheny, 1853
- RANKEN, Hugh, Lisboney, 1770
- RANKEN, Hugh, Lisbuoy, 1824
- RANKEN, John, (linen draper) Lisbuoy, 1794
- RANKEN, John, Lisboy, 1854
- READ, Hugh, Mayochells (Mayoghill) 1715
- ROBERTSON, John, Killague, 1848
- ROXBORRO, John, Crevelea, 1787 (Rosebrogh)
- SHEELS, Andrew, Aughadoey, 1816
- SPENCE, John, Aghadoey, 1770
- STEVENS, (or Stepens) John, Clagan, 1839
- STEWART, John (farmer), Gortan, 1786
- STEWART, John, Liskey, 1802
- STEWART, John, Lisachrin, 1807
- STUART, William, Glebe of Aughadoey, *1778 >
- TANHILL, John, Ballyclough, *1779
- THOMPSON, James, Glenkeen, 1836
- TITTLE, GILBERT, Munecary, 1700
- TORRENCE, Acrhibald (yeoman), Carnroe, 1748
- TORRENS, Alexander (farmer), Mullahinch, 1771
- WATT, George (yeoman), Carnrallough, 1720
- WITHROW/WOODREW, Rober, Coolban, 1839
- WILSON, David, P. Aughadoey (copy, original in Prerogtive Court), 1810
- WOODBURN, James, Garvagh, 1776
- WOODBURN, Mathew, Garvagh, 1807
- WOODEN, als. Furgrave, Mary, Lisboy, 1840
- WOODEND, John, Drumacrow, *1755
- WOODEND, John (farmer) Drumacroe, 1843
- WOODS, Thomas (junior), Coolehill, 1855
- WORKMAN, James, Mullan, 1797
PARISH OF DESERTOGHILL
- ALEXANDER, Thomas, Moneydeeg, *1845
- CAROTHERS, William, Tirkeran, 1853. See Carrithers, Carruthers, and Corrithers
- CASSIDY, Neal, Ballymena, 1830
- CHURCH, William, Dulloghy, 1742
- CHURCH, William, Dulaghy, 1768
- COOK, Archibald, Ballynameen, 1750
- COOK, Archibald, Belnamen, *1790
- DORRANCE, James, Trinaltnough (Trienaltenagh), 1774
- DORRANCE, James, Balury (Bellury), 1854
- DORRANCE, Mary Ann, Ballury, 1827
- DORRANCE, Michael, Desertoghill, 1747
- DORRANCE, Samuel, Ballury, 1813
- DORRANS, John, Ballury, 1820
- DORRANS, William, Trinaltanagh, 1792
- DOWGLASS, Jean, Moneydigg, 1763
- GARVIN, John, Craigavole, 1813
- GIBSON, John, Robert, Ballynemean, (or Giben, Giben in signature) *1754
- GILMORE, James, Balyagin, 1847
- GILMORE, John, Monidig, 1761 (or Gilmer)
- HEGORTY,James, Movenis, *1838
- HAMELL,William, Killeyvealy, *1812
- HAMIL, Robert, Kurn, *1775
- HARVY, Isabell, Killyvally, *1700
- HENDERSON, John, Ballyogan, 1839
- HENDERSON, William, Crossland, 1820
- HENRY, John, Killowen, (parish of desertoghill?), 1748
- HILTON, William, Dullaghy, 1767
- KENNEDY, James, Coolyman (lodged), 1840
- LAMONT, Dunkin, Killavally, 1771
- LUSK, Robert, Tamlaught, *1827
- LYTLE, John, Moletragh, 1774
- MCALESTER, Charles, Ballynameen, 1800
- MCALISTER, John, Desertoghill, 1813
- MCCALLA, Robert, Ballury, 1781
- MCCOOK, Daniel, Desertoghill (lodged) 1771
- MCCORMICK, Robert, Desertoghill, *1706
- MCFETTRESH, Jennet (widow), Laragh, 1766
- MAIN, Thomas, (Rev.) Ballyaghan, 1827
- MORRISON, John, Moneydig, 1842
- ORR,Alexander, (no townland/parish listed) 1854
- ORR, John, Ballyagin, 1826
- PATTON, Matthew, Coolamann, 1828
- REED, David (gent.), Moylettragh, 1781
- ROSS, Francis (Rev.), Balleary (Bellury), 1751
- SPEERE, Thomas, Desertoghill (nuncupative), 1636
- STEWART, Andrew, Lissacreen, 1712
- STEWART, Andrew, Lisachrin, 1847
- STEWART, John, Ballury, 1815
- STEWART, John, Lisachrhin, 1807
- STEWART,Thomas, Ballynameen, 1768
- THOMPSON, Jane, Desertoghill, 1684
- TOY, Alexander, Coolnaman, 1840
- WALKER, James (farmer), Dullaghy, 1820
- WALLACE, Michael, Trinaltinagh, 1857
- WORKMAN, Catherine (widow), Kurin, *1750
PARISH OF ERRIGAL
- ANDERSON, William, Garvagh, 1772
- BELL, John, Gortfadd, 1779
- BLACK,Samuel, Shanelongford, *1795
- BRITTON, John, Medican, 1834
- BROWN, Euphan, Garvagh, 1748
- BUCHANAN, William, Garvagh, 1802
- BURNSIDE, William, Tamnymore, 1837
- CAIN, John, Cuoliescrahan (Coolcoscreaghan), 1777
- CALDERWOOD, Charles, Garvagh, 1805
- CASKEY,David, Liscall, 1809
- CASKEY,Joseph, Liscall, 1777
- CASSIDY, Neal, Ballymena, 1830
- CARRUTHERS, William, Garvagh, 1805
- CHURCH, John, Moletragh, 1756
- CLINTON, George, Garvagh, 1826, (listed as parish of Aghadoey)
- CLINTON, John, Garvagh, 1765, (Listed as parish of Aghadoey)
- CLINTON, John, Garvagh, 1770, (Listed as parish of Aghadoey)
- CONWAY, Samuel, Cah, *1776
- CONYNGHAM, Matthew, Errigal, 1788
- DORRANCE, John, Garvagh, 1839
- DOUGHERTY, Henry, Clare Hill, 1826
- KEILLY, Michael, Gortnamoyagh, 1854
- KNOX, William, Chraghandoly (Crockindollagh), 1841
- LINDSAY, Robert, Garvagh, 1764
- MCMULLAN, John (farmer), Ineshileen (Inshaleen),1744
- MCNICKLE, Lawrence, Lisnascreoge, 1800
- MAHARG, Archibald, Lissachrun, 1763
- MAIN, Thomas (Rev) Ballyagan, 1827
- MILLEN, John, Garvagh, 1782
- MILLER, Robert, Gortfadd, 1664
- MOON, Thomas, Cah, 1835
- MORRISON, William, Errigal, 1814
- MULLAN, Grace, 1782
- O'CAIN, Manus, Cuolcosrahan, 1767
- O'KANE, John, Garvagh, 1853
- O'KANE, Bryan, Gleenkeen, 1802
- O'KANE, Patrick (farmer), Brockagh, 1771
- O'MULLAN, Arthur, (farmer), Brockagh, 1783
- O'MULLAN, Mary, Brockagh, 1753
- O'MULLAN,Patrick, Errigall, 1770
- ROBERTSON, Robert (merchant), Garvagh, 1834
- ROBINSON, Jane, (widow), Garvagh, 1849
- RODGERS, John (merchant), Garvagh, 1731
- SLOAN, Robert, Garvagh, 1761
- SMITH, Alexander, Garvagh, 1799
- STEVENSON, Josiah, The Hermitage, Garvagh, 1854
- STEVENSON, Mary, 1833 (no more notations except ......... dots but listed below Josiah Stevenson above.
- WALLACE, John, Garvagh, 1830
- WATT, John, Inshaleen, 1843
- WELLS, Thomas, Ballintemple, 1847
- WOODBURN, James, 1776
- WOODBURN, Matthew, Garvagh, 1807
- WOODSIDE, George, Garvagh, 1770
- WOODSIDE, William, 1761
EMAILS from Bann Valley Group
1.Subject: Derry Wills, 1786--90 1I-5-23
From: latorrans@aol
Email dated: 13 June 2000
From: Ann
James Cochran of Drummore, parish of Camus, McCosquem (now Macosquin). Co. Londonderry, farmer.
To my beloved wife Sarah £20, a cow, her chest and bed.
To my daughter Rachel £5, a chest, a wheel and bed.
To my son Thomas my farm held by lease from Mr. John
Alford of Downpatrick, and he to be residuary legatee.
To my son William £3, and he to get the farm failing Thomas.
To my sons John & Benjamin 5/5 each.
To my son Hugh Torrens & my former son John Watt 5/5 each.
Appoint my wife Sarah Cochran & my two sons Thompson Cochran & Wm. Cochran exors.
In witness whereof 7 March 1778
James Cochran
Witnesses: Robert Morrison
William Steene
Manus Cox
(Probate not in will book)
2. Subject: Re: Derry Wills, SEARCHABLE CD
TO: Richard Torrens
Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2000 22:45:24 +0100
From: Lunney Family
Richard, there is a new CD just out, which claims to hold a searchable index to all existing Irish wills from 1488-188?; ie those which have survived the destruction in 1921. I should stress that in most cases an index entry is all that did survive; the wills were destroyed. I discovered it in the library of the Royal Irish Academy today (my workplace) and I will go back and transcribe wills of interest for this Torrens list. It links to a website, and the server was having problems; it may well be a bit problematic; it is the first product of the company. However, there are Torrens wills; probably a lot of the ones we know about
already, but because of the software, we can expect to get access to wills witnessed by Torrenses, or made by someone who has Torrens as a Christian name. I didn't have time today to check other spellings of the name, but it looks like it will be a very useful source. For instance--I work on the Dictionary of Irish Biography, and I'm researching the career of a rev. John Leland who died 1766; his will is not there, but an 1825 will of a
THomas Macquay turned up, because its executor was a John Leland Macquay. I knew that Leland had married a widow Macquay, and I also knew that he had kindly brought up her children by her first marriage; so I think one could assume that the Thomas who died was her son, and that he had called his son after his stepfather. There was also a very tantalizing note on :"Torrens family"; apparently there is one envelope of genealogical material on the
Torrenses, gathered by Crossle, in the National Archives here in Dublin. It could be that it is the original of the stuff in PRONI, and perhaps Richard's files already hold it all...but it will be interesting to go and have a look sometime over the summer. I think I will be able to print out material from the CD, but it depends how well-behaved the machines are; anyhow, do you want to wait until I have a better look at` what is there
before you put wills up on your site? Linde
] The wills I have are already on my site, but I am seeking feedback about what folks want before changing them.
] I'm sure everyone would benefit from some details ofv the CD's contents. Do you also know where it can be bought and how much ir costs?
] Re the Crossle file: Kernohan refers to an assistant of his, and severa papers were signed 'Perossli'
] For instance, PRONI Crossle MSS Pt B T283 B is the 1821 census - but the ] version supplied by Kernohan to JST is actually slighly longer than the PRONI doc. So it seems Crossle signed himself Persossli and was helping Kernohan, so that's how the PRONI papers were saved.
] I don't know whether there's anything in the PRONI Crossle records I do not have: a list would be interesting.
] But also Phoebe Torrance Simpson was on the track of the original JST and RMT papers: I certainly do not have than all. I have lost email contact with Phoebe, but Doris Coleman reported she had met with some success, so I hope to hear from her before too long. Maybe there are more clues in what she has found.