17th-century memorials in north-east County Down
The following memorials exist or are known to have exisited in north-east County Down (essentially the area covered by the present day councils of Ards and North Down).
DONAGHADEE GRAVEYARD
MecCOSH
[MD VI, 57 Set up against wall of east transept] Here lyeth the body
of Oughtrie MecCosh, sailer in Dennaughadie who departed this life the 3
of March in the year of God 1671.
McMINN
[MD IX 34 Worn horizontal stone of Castle-espie limestone
with stones of Alexander MacMinn of Donaghadee to BOYD and HAMILTON and
two modern MacMinn stones] Here lyeth the body of Margaret McCLELLAND wife to Iames McMinn who departed this life the 4 of Iuly 1687 aged 84 years Also
Mary Margaret and William McMinn her grand-children Here also lieth the
Body of Isabel McClelland wife to Francis McMinn of Donnaghade who departed
This life the 12 of September 1719 aged 29 years Here lyeth the body of
William McMinn who departed this life so of their son the 7 of June (1731) aged 88
years with Margaret his wife aged 83 years after liveing togeather in
married state 58 years in Donnaghade.
CRIE
[MD VIII, 40 Set up alongside the path The part of the inscription in
brackets
is now buried and some was buried, even in 1910] Here lyeth the bodie of
Gresten RARKLAL wife to Iames Grie of Beliebutl who deceased the 13 day of
Ianuarie (Anno Dom 1674 and of her age the 27 year Also hear is
BROUN
[MD VIII, 37 Stone with inscriptions on both sides in the high- railed
enclosure with the 2 COSH stones] Here lyeth the body of Elizabeth Broun
who departed this life the 7 day of Iune 1676 Here lieth the body of Margaret
ARMSTRONG, daughter to Iames Armstrong.
HOLYWOOD GRAVEYARD
WATT Here lyeth the body of John Watt in Holywood who departed this life the
3rd day of April 1702 and of age 63 years Here lyeth the body of Jane CLERKE
spouse to John Watt of Holywood who departed this life the lst day of Innuarie
Anno 1679 and of age 36 years Also here lyeth 5 of her children Here lieth the
remains of John KILLIPS of Ballydavy who departed this life June 10th 1814
aged 78 years Also his wife Jane Killips who departed this life January 2nd
1813 aged 74 years Also their daughter Eliabeth Killips who departed this life
September 2 1814 aged 28 years William Killips of Ballydavy departed this life
12th June 1841 aged 76 years.
MILLER Here lyes (the body) of Marget Miller who departed this life the 8 day
of May 1686.
HAMILTON [Very worn horizontal stone on the ground The first part is doubtful
and obscure] James Hamilton lyes under this stone of a land hated from mortal
life, who departed this life the twenty of December 1651 of age 38 Here lyeth
the body of Mr John Hamilton of Ballymenagh who departed this life on the 2nd
day of May 1722 aged 76 years Also Mrs Margaret C)RAWIFORD wife to the said
who departed this life on the 3rd of February 1735 aged 60 years ,Here lyeth
the,body of Mrs Mary Hamilton alias TRAIL who departed this life the 30th of
November 17( ) aged 35 years With three of her children.
CAR [Horizontal stone on the ground, badly worn] Here lyeth the body of
Alexatider Car of Ballyrobert who departed this life 1691 aged 50 years Here
lyeth ye body of John Car of Ballyrobert who departed this life ye 2d of March
17()6 aged 73 years Also William Car who departed this life April 17(33) aged
(5)7 years.
BANGOR ABBEY GRAVEYARD
ROBERTSON
[Small and worn sandstone headstone with modern name “Wm McBRIDE”
superimposed] Here lyeth y body of Tomas Robertson dpt y 12 of Mrh 1726 age 64
Here lyeth the body of Elizabeth GRAHAM, wife to Thomas Robertson of Cotten,
who departed this life the 7 day of January 1691 aged 26 years And hir son
David Robertson departed this life the 2(2) day of Jan 1709 aged 21 years.
NICOLSON/NICHOLSON
[Altar-tomb, probably cut in the early 19th century Arms:- Two bars ermine, in
chief three suns in glory Crest:- out of a ducal coronet, a lions head Motto:-
“Deus mihi sol” Illustrated in UJA, 2nd series, VII, 29] Here lyeth the body
of Huch Nicolson of Ballenaghie, gent, and the body of his wife Isabel ORR who
survived him many years, and died Anno Domini 1696 Also the body of their
grandson Hugh Nicholson of Ballow, gent, elder son of William Nicholson of
Ballow, gent, and his wife Eleanor DUNLOP He was born 1st Novr 1697, and died
25th August 1722 Here lieth the body of Mr Hugh Nicholson eldest son of Willm
Nicholson of Ballow, gent, and his wife Mary WHYTE He died anno domini 1743
aged 17 years And the body of his sister Margaret, wife of Robert STEELE, gent
She died 22nd May 1805 And the body of her son Robert Steele of Belfast, gent,
attorney, who was born 22nd March 1773 and died in December 1806.
NICHOLSON
[Altar-tomb, beside next, and probably cut in the mid-18th century] Here lyeth
the body of Mr William Nicholson, of Ballow, who departed this life the 5th of
April 1661 aged 74 years Also his wife Jannet BROWN who departed this life the
14th of Febry 1680 aged 80 years Here lyeth their (grandson) Mr Willm
Nicholson who departed this life the 3rd of Janry 1704 aged 45 years And his
wife Eleanor DUNLOP Also Mr Willm Nicholson, son to Willm Nicholson & Eleanor
Dunlop, who departed this life the 17th of June 1740 aged 41 years Here 1 eth
the body of Ann Nicholson wife of William Nicholson of Ballow, Esqr, &
daughter of the late John CLELAND of Whitehern, Esqr, in Scotland She departed
this life the 11th July 1775 aged 34 years Here also lieth the body of Mary
CLEELAND, alias Nicholson, alias WHITE, who died Octr 29th 1787 aged 84 years.
HAMILTON
[MD II 61, copied from Harris’ Down A large slab of Castle-espie limestone now
upright against south wall of church tower Although it bears neither name nor
date, Harris, writing in 1744, is of the belief that it was raised to the Rev
Archibald Hamilton, a dissenting minister of Bangor who died on the 29th June
1695, aged 76 Arms:- Three cinque-foils pierced, in chief a heart, and charged
with a crescent Crest:- Knight’s plumed helmet surmounted by a bird’s head
bearing a heart Motto:- “Fortis non ferox” The inscription is in a tetrastick]
Hi(c abavis), atavis, et avo, zic patre creatus Presbyters, sanctis, presbyter
ipse iacet Annos si spectes iuvenum (fl)os excidit, at si Aut studia, aut
(mor)es, transiit (ille) senex [Translation] “Here lies a presbyter (or
priest), Himself sprung from great-great grand-sires, great-great-great
grand-sires, As well as from a grandfather and father (who were) holy
presbyters If thou considerest years, he perished a youth; But if either
acquirements or virtues, as an aged man be departed”.
HAMILTON
[Large lid of altar-tomb with lettering in relief, secured to west end of
nave] Here lyeth the body of James Hamilton, merchent, somtyme provest of
Bangor, who departed this lyfe the 21 Januar 1649 Death layd him low who was
of late The provost of this city state, Who so becomingly his station Adorned
in his generation, Who so did liv aproved of al, A(n) thing which doth to few
befal, And some may say he had an heart Most cheerfuly for to impart To thos
in distres so that they From him reioycing went away Here lyeth the body of
John TAGGART who departed this life the 12 of May 1758 aged 72 years.
CLEELAND/CLEALAND/CLELAND
[Gravestone secured to the north wall] Here lyeth the body of John Cleeland
leat provest of Bangor who departed this life the 26 day of January 1714, and
of age 49 years Also his wife Mary Clealand alias TAGGART who departed this
life 28 May 1742 aged 67 years Also here lieth the body of Patrick Cleeland of
Ballymagee who died the 5 of December 1785 aged 84 years [This section of
inscription was inserted in the early 19th century] Patrick Cleland of Bangor
Esqr son of Alexander Cleland of that ilk Esqr died 1682 aged 57 Janet
BLACKWOOD, his widow, daughter of John Blackwood, Esqr Provest of Bangor,
died 1689.
ARMURE/ARMOR
[Small headstone inscribed on both sides, with a tanner’s knife carved below
Iames Armure’s inscription Illustrated in UJA,2nd series,
VII,31] Heire lyeth the body of Iames Armure, lat taner in the
pearish of Bangor, who departed this lif wpon Thursday the 20 of Iun at 12 of
the clok 1672, and was of ag 71 From evil to com the Lord doth som translat
unto his glorie that they may sing to him ther King those songs in holie
storie [East side] Here lyeth the body of Hugh Armor, in the parish of Bangor,
who departed this life the 15 of September 1757 aged 51 years.
SLANES GRAVEYARD
McDOWELL
[Horizontal stone broken in pieces] Here lyeth the body of Robert McDowell of
Talytramin who died November ye 28th 1722 aged 78 years Here lieth ye body of
Ilener FERLAY wife to ye above named who died Jun ye 23 1677 aged 27 years
Also his wife Marey MOUNTGOUMRY who departed this life Actober ye 3th 1733
aged 80 years.
MCCOMB
[In the Bowden enclosure] Here lyeth the body of Alexander McComb who departed
this life 12th July 1724 aged 80 years Also his wife Mary MAXWELL who departed
this life 10th Of January 1693 aged 43 years Also his wife Jean LITEL who dyed
September ye 6th 1733 aged 80 years
WHITECHURCH GRAVEYARD
PARK
Here lyeth ye body of Hugh Park who departed this life January ye 7th 1717
aged 83 years Also his wife Jannet YOUNG who died Sept ye llth 1686 aged 44
years Also their son John Park who died Aprile ye 8 1733 aged 66 years Here
lieth the younger John Park son to ye yonger Hugh Park who died April ye 2th
1754 aged 40 years Also the younger Hugh Park, late of Rodings who departed
this life Janry ye 26th 1765 aged 82.
DAVIDSON
[Horizontal stone on the ground, in the church] Here lieth the body of Samuel
Davidson who departed this life the 6th day of October in ye year 1700 aged 38
years Also his wife Margaret SCOOT who departed this life the 21 day of Agust
in the year 1696 aged 37 years Also their son Alexr Davidson who departed this
life the 6 day of December in the year 1722 aged 29 years.
COOPER
[With masonic sign at the top In a low-railed enclosure with next stone and a
more modern one] Here lies the body of William Cooper, son to John Cooper of
Ballywalter who depd this life on the 5th May 1805 aged 27 yrs The burying
ground of John Cooper died 1608 aged 92 [This is clearly inscribed later than
the upper inscription].
BALLYPHILIP GRAVEYARD (TEMPLECRANNY)
STIVNS
[Horizontal stone on the ground badly worn] Here lieth the body of
Stivns in Portaferry who departed this life the 4 of November 1696.
PATRICK
[Horizontal stone in the floor of the chain and rail enclosure of McCleery
family] Here under lieth the body of Archibald Patrick who died the 28 of
March 1659 with eight of his children in the churchyard of Portaferry And also
his wife Agnas REVI who died the 26 day of May 1660 Here lyeth the body of
Andrew WASON, skiper in Grinok who departed this life the 6 of June 1719 the
55 year of his age.
PATRICK
[Copied from “James Shanks” p 40 – see Introduction The stone was seen in 1909
having been found “in the grave of Will McCleery about a foot and a half below
the surface of the ground ” It has now disappeared] Here lyeth ye body of
Richard Patrick of Portaferry who departed this life 11 March 1659.
McCORMICK
[Horizontal stone on the ground broken in 3 pieces] This tomb erected by Mr
Adam McCormick wherein lyeth his son Samuel who dyed the 25 daye of April 1691
[“October’, is written below “April”].
McCORMICK
[Horizontal stone on the ground, badly worn] Here lyeth the body of William
McCormick, merchant in Portaferry, who departed this life the ( ) of Sep 1689
and in the ( )7 year Here under lyeth seven of William McCormick his children,
1678.
ARDKEEN GRAVEYARD
ECHLINE
[Worn horizontal stone in the centre of the church with arms:quarterly lst and
4th, a galley; 2nd and 3rd, a fess chequy; in chief a deer pursued by a dog
Crest:- a talbot passant] Here lyes interd the body of Robert Echline of
Castleboye Esq who died the 25 day of April 1657 in the 29 year of his age
Also the body of his daughter Marie.
CLANDEBOYE HOUSE
HAMMILTON
[Copied and illustrated in the Ulster Journal of Archaeology, 1901, vii, 23
Worn and cracked stone of Castleespie limestone, removed from Holywood Priory
and mounted on the east wall of the Clandeboye Chapel Arms:- Per pale: first,
three cinquefoils pierced, in chief a heart (for Hamilton); second, chequy, on
a chief three plumes Motto:- “Domat omnia virtus”] Hic requies Alexander
Hammiltonus magistri Patricy Hammiltoni de Inner Weike in regno Scotiae
fillius secundus mor(tu)us se(r) potius hinc migravit XIII men mar ano do
MDCXLVIII anno que atatis suae XXXV Heer layeth the body of Captain Alexander
Hammilton of Inner Weeke in the Kingdome of Scotland who was the six brother
of James Lord Viscount Clandeboy He married Mary READING the eldest daughter
of William Reading Esqr by whom he had issue one sone and two daughters, vis:-
Patrick, Mary & Elizabeth Domine (re v—, veni veni cito).
GREY ABBEY GRAVEYARD
BIERS Here lyeth the body of Janet Biers late wife to Robert MackCOIDE who
departed this life the 4 of August 1683 of age 34 years.
MONTGOMERY
[Memorial tablet on the south wall of the nave, with arms:- per pale, on left
for Montgomery, lst and 4th three fleurs de lis, 2nd and 3rd three annulets,
on right, per fess, lst for Hamilton three cinqufoils fesswise, second for
Townley, a fess sable (?) The arms are roughly cut but illustrated, with a
transcript of the inscription in M D , V, 184] Here lyeth ye body of Hugh
Montgomery of Ballymagown, Esqr aged 72 & departed this life ye 31 of Octor
1707 & had issue six sons & six daughters, viz Hans, Hugh, Hamilton, James,
Samuel, Vere, Elizabh , Catherine, Jane, Elinor, Alice & Christian Here lyeth
ye body of Jane HAMILTON, wife to Hugh Montgomery, aged 37 who departed this
life ye 22 of July 1689 Here lyeth ye body of ye Revd Hans Montgomery of
Spring Vale eldest, son of Hugh Montgomery, who departed this life ye 27 of
Novemr 1726 aged 58 & had issue by Elizabeth TOWNLEY his wife foure daughs viz Mary, Lucy, Jane & Alice.
MONTGOMERY
[Horizontal stone on the ground in the nave, copied in Harris, 54; M D , II,
66-7 and M D , V, 182-3 In Harris, “Montgomery” is spelt “Mountgomery”] Sit
hypogaeum hoc nobis (et memoriae) sacrum The Honble Elizabeth Montgomery died
ye 15 of Novr Ao Domni Christi 1677 aged 42 Wm Montgomery of Rosemount Esq her
onely husband continued a widower and so died on ye 7th day of Janry Ao Dicti
Dmi 1706 being 74 years old Hugh, first Lord Viscount Mountgomery of ye Great
Ardes (by his eldest sonns) was grandfather of them whose earthly remains are
layd in ye vaulted tombe before this Manx marble Both wch were made for their
peculiar repository, by ye care pains & cost of ye sd Wm , a due defrence to
ye sd Elizabeth his good & only wife Their only issue James in Augt 1687
married Elizabeth eldest daughter of Archibald EDMUNDSTONE, Laird of Duntreth,
whose children now liveing are Elizabeth, Wm , Martha & James; ye dead were
Anna, Helena, Hugh, Jean & Archi , being all God’s lovely loans Let them their
bones and dust rest here untost; Others, room having elsewhere, nothing’s lost
Intruders (still) graceless usurpers are, One’s tomb belongs not even to his
heir Them twice by God joined, none but he may sever, Th’ are laid up here,
till he raise them for ever May all their race be pious, and safe keep This
house and bed, where in our Lord they sleep Corpora dant tumulo, signant quoq;
carmine saxum, Quod impositum donavit Fra Allen Amn.
MONTGOMERY
EPITAPHION James by pirates shot and thereof dead) 12 of March By
them il th’ sea solomnly buried 1651/2 APOSTROPHE To the sub-aerial elements
Devouring Hades! th’ ever hungry earth Wouldst and shall eat up all that’s of
thy birth Falln in thy lap, by death of any kind,But whom the waters drink,
and lost day find Step to lst Corinth , ch 15, v 51 Yet graves and waves must
all such guests restore At that great day to live for evermore: Tho he’s
deceasld, his noble acts and name Longer than this can last, shall live by
fame Prov ch 22, v l; Eccl , ch 7, v 5 [Bottom panel] ALLELUIAH Thus angels
sung, Glory to God on high Peace upon earth, goodwill towards men, may be So
always pray and always pray ought we Haec pio animo filius ejus unicus mense
Aprilis Anno a Salvatore Mundi nato MDCLII excogitavit illum lugebat Londini
At my full height my length did not surpass My father’s shadow as at noon it
was Carmina mea tribuunt Fama perennis erit.
MAGILL [Two worn memorial tablets, adjoining and high on the south wall of the
nave The arms are illustrated in M D , V, f p 184 and p 185 and the
inscription in Harris, p 55 and in M D , II, 67] [Left, arms:- per pale, 1st,
three birds (for Magill); 2nd, nine mullets, three, three, two and one (for
BAILIE) Crest:- a phoenix in flames Motto:- sine fine] [Right, arms:- three
birds, a mullet in centre The letters M, D and M are round the arms These
commemorate the Rev David Magill, Rector of Greyabbey, who died on 15 October
1633] Voce gregem, vitaque Deo, lethoque fidelis qui pavit, placuit, qui
cruciavit hic est Obiit 15 Octobris, anno 1633.
MOVILLA GRAVEYARD
TURNER [Raised horizontal stone] Here lyes William Turner the grandfather 1612
and John Turner the father Sep 13 1632, of John Turner of Newtown, Provest And
Margaret FERGUSSON his wife who departed this life the 26 of Sep 1661.
SMART [Raised horizontal stone with well-cut roman lettering] Hear lyeth the
body of James Smart the elder, merchant, an elderman of Newtown who departed
this life the 30 Day of January 1665 Here lyeth the body of James Smart of
Baleygealagh who dyed ye 6 of Oct 1731 aetatis in the 59th year of his age.
ROBSON
[Built into stone-and-railed McCULLAGH enclosure] Here lyes the bodi of Marre
Robson daughter to Matthew Robson who departed the 29 of November 1672.
ORR [Raised horizontal stone] Here lyeth the body of John Orr of Killynether
who departed this life the 5 of April 1704 aged 76 years Also Elliner Orr his
daughter who departed this life the 3 day of May 1695, of age 16 years Also
here lyeth the body of Elizabeth KENNEDY wife to John Orr above who departed
this life November ye first 1713 in the 86th year of her age [NOTE There is a
stone beside this of early 18th century on which only the name Orr is legible].
ORR [Worn horizontal stone in ground] This is Robert MILLING’S burying place
Here also lyeth the body of William Orr, bred at the University of Glasgow,
who died Oct 26th 1771 aged 52 years Here lyeth 4 of the children of Robert
Milling, merchant in Newtown, anno 1678.
MAKSWAL Here lyeth the body of James Makswal shumacker who departed this life
Sep 12 Anno 1661 and 5 of his children.
McDOL/McDOAL [Stone is lying loose] Here lyes the body of William McDol son to John McDoal, merchant who departed this life the 24 of September 1682.
McCULLY [Horizontal stone on the ground] Here lyeth the body of James McCully
of Bellyhaft who departed this life March ye 3rd 1733 aged 72 years Also his
first wife Martha (MILLAR) who departed this life October ye 20th 1698 aged 33
years Here lyeth ye body of John McCully of Ballyhaft who died the llth July
(1717) aged (86) years Also his wife Jean BYERS who died ye 12 of July 1769
aged 73 years,
Good husband parent and a son,
Good neighbour and an honest man
A loving wife, a tender mother
And of each virtue a true lover
They lived in friendship died in love,
In hopes to meet in Heaven above
Also his son Samuel McCully, Junr who died the 21st of April 1748 aged 17
years John McCully JOHNSTONE died 22nd March 1858 aged 18 years John Wallace Johnstone died 18th Sept 1858 aged 7 months Elizabeth King Johnston died 10th Sept 1873 aged 3 years Also two children who died in their infancy.
MackCOLIE [Horizontal stone on the ground with large but faint lettering, the
oldest in the graveyard] Heere lyes the body of Or Gilbert MackColie who
departed this life the fiftine Agwste 1632 And his son Gilbrt MackColie and
who departed this life the tratin of Februar 1664 Here lyes Barbra el [about 3
lines illegible – then follows in eighteenth century script] Here lies the
body of John KENAIRD (late of eds) who departed this life (Sept lst ) 1802
aged 52 years.
McCLUGHAN [Box tomb] Here lye the bodys of John McClughan who died the I day
of Decr anno dom 1655 aged 63 years Jannet LOCKART his wife who died the 22 of
Decr 1690 aged 74 John their son who died the 13 of March 1707 aged 59
Elizabeth McWHID his wife died ye 8 of May 1727 aged 70 Also these
grand-children viz , James who was a father to his father’s family, died 17th
Dec 1732 aged 55 Ann died 1684 aged 3 Elizabeth died 1729 aged 44 Mary died 10
Aug 1729 aged 38 Ann died 3rd of June 1743 aged 40.
McCARTNEY [Beside more modern McCartney stone] Here lyeth the body of (Jane)
DURY wife to John McCart(ney) who died the 4 of August 1685.
MC Here lyeth ye body of Christian to Alexander Me merchant in Newtown who
departed this life January the ninth 1677 and 4 of his children.
LEVERES [Small stone, half burned] 1667 Here lieth the children of John
Leveres who departed this life [This appears to be all].
KELL Here lyes the body of Thomas Kell who departed this life the 7th of
October 1682.
JACKSON [Raised horizontal stone] Here lyeth the body of John Jackson of
Ballyskeogh who dyed ye 16th of June 1716 aged 77 years Also Janet Jackson his
wife who dyed September 1695 aged 54 years & also 3 of there sons, Hugh, John
& James Jackson who dyed all unmarried.
HUNTER [Horizontal stone on the ground with symbolic objects at the top a
hand, shears and a wide ring It is cracked but otherwise readable] Here lyeth
the body of John Hunter glover in Neowtown who departed this life the 29 day
of March Anno Dom 1687 being of age 68 years Here lyeth one a glove cowld mak
The kingdoms thre cowld not corect Also here lieth the body of Willm Hunter
late of Grumport who departed this life October the 18th 1817 aged 44 years.
HERRIS Here lyeth the body of Richard Herris who departed this life in the
year of God 1653.
DRISDALL Here lies Ieane MAKKIE, spouse to John Drisdall, Merchant, Alderman
of Newtown who deceased the 23 of September Anno 1633.
DORMENT Here lyes the body of John Dorment, sheu maker who departed this lyfe
the 21 of October 1650.
DICKSON [well-cut horizontal stone on the ground] Here lyes the body of
William Dickson, merchant on Newtown who departed this life the eighteenth of
December in anno 1663 and three of his children Here lieth the body of Wm
McCUCHN, late of N T Ards who departed this life February 12th 1806 aged 74
years Here lieth the body of Janet McCutcheon alias SMALL who departed this
life December the 25th 1797 aged 68 years.
CLARKE Here lieth Androw Clarke who deid the 10 of March 1666 and 12 of his
children.
CALVERT Here lyeth the bodie of William Calvert who departed this life the
14th March 1661.
BOUMAN [Beside modern Bowman stone] Androv Bouman who departed this life the 20 day of September 1675 Here lieth the body of Kirsin HOG spos to Androv
Bouman who departed this life the 20 day of September 1677.
KILLINCHY GRAVEYARD
WOODS
/Horizontal stone on the ground The first inscription was clearly added later/
Sacred to the memory of John Woods of Tullynakill who was drowned when bathing
on the shore of Trasnah the 8th Sept 1843 aged 23 years Here lyeth the body of
Robert Woods in Island Reagh who departed this life the 18th day of July Anno
Dom 1715 aged 60 years Here also lyeth the body of Marion Woods alias WATT,
widow of the aforesaid Robert Woods, who dyed the fourteenth day of February
Anno Dom 1734 aged 70 years Here lyeth the body of Grissel Woods daughter to
ye above Robert Woods who dyed the 15 of February 1684 aged 3 years and 9
months Here lieth the remains of Hans Woods of Tollinakill who departed this
life the 4th June 1795 aged 50 years Also his daughter Jane who departed this
life the 15th Novr 1800 aged 14 years.
STEUART/STUART/STEWART
/Horizontal stone on the ground, cracked/ Here lyeth the body of John Steuart
in Bellybre(g)ah who died October 11 1692 aged 70 years Also his wife Eliner
BOLL who died Octbr 11 1714 aged 80 years This tomb is erect at ye expenses of
their daughter-in-law Katherin Steuart, widow of ye Revd Mr Samuel Steuart
Minister at Girvan, Scotland Here lieth the body of William Stuart of
Killinchy who departed this life April 9 1769 aged 63 years Also the body of
his wife Mary LOWERY who departed this life August llth 1772 aged 73 years
Also the body of his son Anthony Stewart who departed this life May 3d 1784
aged 40 years.
POTTER
/Misc Geneal et Herald 1877, 11, 571 Slightly raised horizontal stone with
crest:- a sea-horse naiant/ Here lyeth the body of Thomas Potter of Killinchy
who departed this life the 28th of February 1697 aged 56 years And the body of
his son John Potter of said place, merchant, who died the 10th of August 1746
aged 86 years And the body of Mary Porter wife of said John who died the 23rd
of December 1732 aged 70 years And the body of John Potter of Killinchy who
died the 30th of March 1769 aged 72 years And the body of Florence Potter
otherwise McLEROTH wife of said John who died 29th October 1772 aged 78 years
Also the body of Thomas Potter of Ballymacarran who died the 25th of December
1782 aged 86 years Thomas Potter MILLAR of Ardview died 29th November 1887
aged 72 years.
PETERSON
Hear lyeth the body of Gawin Peterson in Belymcrillie who departed this life
the 1 of April 1683 aged 62 years Here lyeth ye body of William Peterson in
Belymcrillie who died Decmr ye 3d 1729 and aged 68 years.
BRUCE
Raised horizontal stone, recut The Rev Michael Bruce was Minister of Killinchy
1657-61 and 1670-89 He died and was buried in Scotland in 1693/ Here lyes the
bodies of Robert Bruce who dyed in May anno 1684 being of age 15 Of Michael
Bruce who dyed in June anno 1672 being of age one year and ane halfe And of
Anna Bruce who dyed the 18 of Januarie 1683, the children of Mr Michail Bruce
Minister of the Gospell at Killinshie and of Jane Bruce his wife Blessed are
the dead which die in the Lord Rev, 14, 13 0 death where is thy sting, 0 grave
where is thy victorie The I Cor, 15 55.
COMBER GRAVEYARD
WOLS [Uprooted stone, beside graveyard wall] Hier layeth the body of
Katrin Wols, 1694.
WALKER [Horizontal stone on the ground cracked] Here lyeth the body of John
Walker, Sen of Grenshoch who departed this life the 2nd September 1690 and
aged 70 years Also his wife Betridge McDOWELL who departed this life the 4th
August 1688 aged 70 years Here lyeth the body of Anne BLACK late wife to John
Walker junior of Grenshock who departed this life the 18th of November 1719
aged 70 years Also Samuel David and Rebekah Walker their children.
STINE MD 111, 427, destroyed in the mid-]9th century] 1666 Heir lyeth John
Stine Febr 25 and his wife Margaret (STEVENS) Sep 12 1686.
SINKLER
[Slate stone laid flat on the ground and badly flaked] (Here lieth) these
bodies of Robert (Si)nkler who died in 1666 aged (71) years And (his) wife
Giels GORDON who died in 167(7) aged 74 years Also their son John (Si)nkler
who died in 1684 aged 61 years.
RIDE [Worn stone with obscure surname] Hear lyeth the body of Alexander S
(Ride) woho (died) the 26 of (Febr) 1671 Hear lyeth the body of Hugh (Ride)
who (died) the 30 of D——.
RIDDLE [Box-tomb is railed enclosure] Here resteth the body of Robert Riddle
of Castle Beg who departed this life July the 31st 1661 in the 30th year of
his age [Another inscription starting “Likewise Elizabeth” has been
obliterated] Here rest the remains of William Riddle, merchant of Comber,
who departed this life the 15th June 1795 aged 55 years Also his wife Jane
Riddle otherwise HAMILTON of New Comber who departed this life the 10th
December 1788 aged 39 years Here also rest the remains of their daughters,
Margaret Riddle who departed this life the 29th August 1846 aged 64 years, and
Elizabeth Riddle on the 28th February 1855 aged 69 years.
ORR [Horizontal stone on the ground, partly buried] Here lyeth the body of
John Orr of Clantanacally who departed this life the 22 of May 1722 aged 71
years Also his wife Mary McBURNIE who departed this life the 3 of July 1692
aged 40 years Also his wife Margaret McCOLLOUGH who departed this life the
22nd of July 1748 aged 72 years And 4 of his children, Jane, Margret,
Elizabeth & Jean Orr Here also Iyeth his son James Orr of Ballyalloly who
departed this life ye 17t of May 1742 aged 42 years Also his wife
Elizabeth McGARRY who died ye 2 of Janry 1747 aged 45 Years Here rest the
remains of John Orr and Mary Ann his wife late of Ballyalloly ,She departed
this life the 26th July 1798 aged 67 years; he the llth March 1809 aged 81
years In love they lived, in hope they died In life they rest, eternally
allied Also the remains of their son William Orr of Ballybeen, born February
18th 1770, died FebruLry 21st 1843 And of his wife Margaret MALC0LM, born
May 8th 1762, died January 9th 1861.
MENOCK
[Small stone with faint lettering Hier lyeth the bodie of Alexander Menock
who departed the 20 November 1668
MEREDITH [Red lifestone stab fixed to west
wall of the church with a well-carved coat of arms:-A boar rampant, chained
Crest:-a detni-lion rampant] Coped and illustrated in MD IV, 387 Here
lyeth the body of Isaac Meredith of Kilbreght gent who departed this life the
10th day of July 1723 aged 27 years.
McKUN Here rests the body of Robert McKun who disassed the 1 day of (Feb)
1668 in the 8 year of his age Here lyeth ye body of John McKun who died
April 29th 173l aged 64 years Also Agnes McKun.
McCULOCH [Small stone with faint lettering] ———— 1668 Hier lyes the
bodie of Alexander McCuloch who departed the 3 of November 1668.
McCULLOCH [Looks of about 1700 but some letters are crudely cut] Here lyeth
the body of George McCulloch who departed the 3 of May in the year of our
Lord God 1616 and the year of his age is 21.
McCALLA
[The words “Thomas Hiles of Comber, 3 graves” have been added at the top]
Here lyeth the body of George McCalla who departed this life the 1 of May 1685
Also his son (Jame)s McCalla who departed this life the 27 of July 1686 Also
his son (William) McCalla who departed this life the of Novemiber(–) Here
lieth the body of Isabella HILES of who departed this life Decr the 14th in
the year of Our Lord [Added later] Here lieth the body of Hector Hiles and
also his wife Kathern McCalia of Troopersfield.
McBURNIE Here lyeth the body of John McBurnie who departed this life the 24 of
Mah 1661 and the body of his espoused wife Bessie JEARDAN who departed in the
year 1665.
LEATHEM
[Low stone near east end of graveyard] Heareunder lieth the body of William
Leathem who deceasd, the 17 October 1672.
KENNEDY [Horizontal stone on the ground] Here lyeth the body of Gilbert
Kennedy in Castell Beeg who departed this life the 3 day of March 1699 aged 76
years Here resteth the body of the Revd Thomas Kennedy, Presbyterian
Minister of ,Hollywood, who deceased February the 6th 1787 in the 50th year of
his age Here lyeth the ibody of James Kennedy who departed this life Augt
Ist 1768 aged 56 years Also his wife Elizabeth Kennedy who departed this
life June lith 1796 aged 75 years Also their daughter Sarah Kennedy who
departed this life on the 22 October 1825 aged 61 years.
IONSTON [Loose stone with damaged top](——) lonston was decesed the 12
Dec 1672.
GORDON [Two sections of Castlespie limetone broken and set separately flat in
the ground] Here resteth in the Lord the body of Robert Gordon who departed
this life the 1686 aged 81 years Also his son John Gordon who departed this
life the ( ) of March 1682 aged 47 years And his wife Mary Gordon alias
SHAW who departed this life the 7 of March 1684 aged 39 years Also Mun(go)
Shaw who departed this life the 20 of November 1696 aged 65 years Also his
wi(fe) Sophia Shaw alias Shaw who departed this life the 7 of March aged
86 years Faith her-in-law- to John —ther to his wife them three.
GEBEY [In GABBEY enclosure] Here lyeth the bodey of Janet SPROT wife to John
Gebey of Belyil Who dyed the 9th of April 1683.
(CONIERT) [Faint lettering] Here lyeth the body of Michal (Coniert) who
decessed the eleventh May in the year of Our Lord 1664.
BRAYNEN
Here lyes the body of John Braynen who departed the 16 of January 1705 and
aged 78 years Here lyeth the body of Agnes ANDERSON wife to John Braynen
who dyed the 17 of December 1680.
BELL [Horizontal stone on the ground] Here lyeth the body of John Bell of
Balykigle who departed this life the 27 of Decamib 1701 aged 82 years Heir
lyeth the body of Barbra DIXSON wif to John Bell in Balykigle who departed
this life the 18 of May 1686 aged 72 years Here lyeth the body of John Bell
of New-Combar who departed this life the 1 day of April 1721 aged 73 years
Also the remains of William Bell of the Crescent, Comlber who died on the 9th
March 1854 aged 74 ys Also Esther WYILEY, his beloved wife, who died 8th
Septernber 1865 aged 90 ys Mary, the beloved wife of William Bell, died
1884 aged 70 William Bell died 1896 aged 86.
4 MD 111, 427 This was a flat stone in the south side of the churchyard nearly
in line with the western end of the Church “I I Elder 1634 I I T the 2nd 1675
Dec 19”.
3 MD III, 426 There was a small stone in the church inscribed:- Erected by
“EB 1637”.
2 MD, 111, 425-6 with drawing This was a broad stone 4′ 6″ X 2′ 3″ fixed
to the south wall of the church but is now in 2 parts the opposite way round
set high up inside the tower The original right side has arms:-In chief, a
lion couchant gardant; in base, a crescent between two birds It is dated
1633 with the initials WD, MB or WM, DB Below is “Their is no way
which vertue gois not through” The original left side has arms:-Per pale,
1st, in chief two palets; 2nd, in chief a lion couchaiit gardaiit; in base a
crescent between two birds It is dated 1637 with the initials AK, ED or
AE, KD The initial E is shown in MD, as P Below is “Thus unjoyned by God”.
There are various stones in MD 111, with no family name:- 1 MD 111, 426
A stone formerly built into the south wall of the church but now in 2 worn
fragments lying loose:- “0 spectator quam dolende Christo si differs inseri:
Ejus mors coelorum porta Sanctis qua datur ingredi: T-Tinc gloriamur
dorrnientes in spe Anastaseos I M Gord E G[ord] 1658” Translated in
MD as:-0 spectator, how lamentable it will be if you put off being grafted
into Christ! This death is the gate of Heaven, by which it is granted to
the saints to enter Thence let us who lie sleeping here rejoice in the hope
of the Resurrection.
TULLYNAKILL GRAVEYARD
STTIT Here lyeth ye body of Thomas Sttit who died ye 1 of May 1687 aged 60
years Also his wife Agnes CANNON who died ye 14 of June 1726 aged 85 years.
MILIGAN/MILIKAN [On both sides of a stone] Here lies the bodie of Mary GORDUN
spous to Gilbert Miligan who departed the 10 Sepmbar 1672 Here lyeth the body
of Gilbert Milikan who dyed the 11 of December 1686 and of age 49 years.
MAXWALL Here lyes the body of James Maxwall son to William Maxwall who desised
the 14 of March 1669.
LOWRY [Next 3 stones in an enclosure together] Here lyeth the body of James
Lowry who departed this life the 14th of November 1685 of age 36 years.
CANON Here lyeth the body of Alexander Canon who died 30th of October 1697
aged 60 years.
BEL Here lyeth the body of John Bel son to Wellem Bel in Ballydrain who
desessed the first of Febuare being of age 36 years 1681.