The Burning of the House of Charles Sproule of Grennan 1827

In late 1827, early 1828, an advertisement was placed in the local papers all over the northern part of Ireland, appearing in most of them, and it was repeated at quite some expense. Charles Sproule of Grennan was obviously very upset that the new house that he was having built in Tully for his son, Charles Jun. was burnt down. The people who did this seemed to be a political group, called the Rockites, and we learn that they had also fired shots at Charles Jun when he appeared.  

View over Tully today from the Mid Ulster Mail

Charles of Grennan placed a reward for information, and obviously many of his friends and neighbours contributed to this. The early advertisements contained a list of folks who contributed to that reward.

We know from ‘following the land’ that this gentleman is Charles Sproule of the Holme, and the son is Charles Sproule of Daisy Hill. When Charles of the Holme handed over his lands to his sons in 1836, the Tully property was one of those mentioned in the deed – see below.

 

The NewryCommercial Telegraph

January 1, 1828

                                                             REWARD

  WHEREAS, on Sunday the 12th day of August last, about the hour of Two o'Clock in the afternoon, a Mob of at least Fifty Persons, well supplied with fire-arms, and provided with crow-bars, and such instruments, came to the Townland of TULLY, in the Parish of LANGFIELD, and in the County of TYRONE, and levelled to the ground a Dwelling House thereon, the property of CHAS. SPROULE, sen., of GRANNAN, in the said County, the mason work of which had just been completed, and destroyed all the timber, &c. used in building the same ; and when CHARLES SPROULE, jun. son of the above, for whom the House was intended, appeared, several Shots were fired at him, by individuals of this party, and with difficulty, he succeeded in escaping. Now We, the undersigned, holding in abhorrence such atrocious villainy, and perfectly convinced that if the Perpetrators shall (in this case) be suffered to escape with impunity, there will neither be safety for the Persons or the Property of any Individuals, residing in the exposed situations in this part of the Country, who may happen to become obnoxious to any of the Party (we mean Rockites), of which these ruffians are supposed to be members, do hereby offer a reward of Three Hundred Pounds Sterling, Payable in proportion to the Sums respectively annexed to our Names, to any Person or Persons who shall, within Twelve Calendar Months from the date hereof, give Information against, and afterwards prosecute in Conviction, any considerable number of the Principals or Accessories engaged in this nefarious transaction ; And we also, in like manner, off the Sum of Fifty Pounds Sterling, for such private Information, within the same time, and with strictest secrecy observed, as shall lead to the Conviction of any considerable number as aforesaid.

  Application to be made to JAMES GALBRAITH, of JAMES WILSON, Esqrs. ; or to Chief Constable DUFF, all of Omagh; or to ANDREW SPROULE, of Grannan.

--Dated this 21st day of December, 1827.

  [Here follows the List of Subscribers, with the Sums opposite their respective names, amounting in all to the Sum of £785.]

   Dublin Castle, 21st Dec. 1827.

   The LORD LIEUTENANT for the better apprehending and bringing to Justice, the Persons concerned in the Outrage Committed on CHAS. SPROULE, jun. is pleased hereby to promise His Majesty's most gracious Pardon to any of them (except the Person who fired the Shots), who shall, within Six Months from the date hereof, discover his Accomplices, so as they, or any of them, be convicted.

  Given at His Majesty's Castle of Dublin, the 21st day of December, 1827.

   By His Excellency's Command,

   WM. LAMB.

 

Charles Sproule of Grennan handing over his estate to James and Charles 7 Dec 1836

1837 12 198 Registry of Deeds, Familysearch.org, transcribed by Kate Tammemagi

A memorial of an indednted deed baring the date 7 Dec 1836 and made between Charles Sproule Sen. of Grennan in the Parish of Dromore and the County of Tyrone Gent. of the first part, James Sproule of Grennan Gent. his son to the said Charles Sproule in the second part, and Charles Sproule of Daisy Hill, in the parish of  Kilskeery Gent. also son of Charles Sproule of Grennan. Whereby the said Charles Sproule Sen for the consideration therein mentioned did grant etc. to the said James Sproule and Charles Sproule Jun in their actual possession ... share and share alike and to their respective heirs and assigns all that and those the one half of the townland of Glennan heretofore in the tenure and occupation of John McCloskey, James Sherry ,William McCraner and Thomas Loughran their indented and assigns excepting thereout that part formerly held by James Sherry and now in the possession of Thomas Graham and his undertennants situated and lying in the parish of Fintona, Barony of Omagh, Co Tyrone.

Also and those that quarter or fourth part of the town of Letteree held by James Owey and his undertennants, containing 70 acres or thereabouts, in Dromore, also the townlands of Skreen bounded in the east by the townland of Dunnamona, on the west by the townland of Glennan, on the north by Tallykeel, and on the south by the townland of Alla, all in Donnacavey (that’s not what is written) except Crawfords Hill containing 40 acres or thereabouts, to hold by James & Charles share & share alike.

The said Charles Sproule did sell etc. unto the said James Sproule in his actual possession etc. all that and those that part of Grennan formerly in the occupation of the said Charles Sproule sen in the parish of Dromore, and also the lands of Tully containing 700 acres situated in the parish of Lower Langfield. To hold the lands of Grennan for and during the natural lives of Andrew, son of said Charles, Archibald Osbourne and John Osbourne, first and second sons of Archibald Osbourne late of Derrynasseer deceased. To hold the lands of Tully for all the residue of the term and years unexpired of the lease. And which said deed further witnessed that the said Charles Sproule for the consideration therein mentioned did grant etc. onto the said James Sproule in his actual possession etc. all that and those an equal and undivided moity of all the estate right and interest in and to the lands of Skreen with the rents issues and profits thereof situated in the parish of Fintona, to hold etc. forever, to hold to the said James Sproule forever heirs etc.  and the deed also witnessed that the said James Sproule for the consideration therein did sell etc. unto Charles Sproule sen the and equal and undivided moity of the half of three fourths of the lands of Ardvarnok and Noughty situated in the Parish of Raphoe.

Witness Alexander Osbourne of the Royal Navy esq,  Archibald Osbourne of Dernaser, farmer, and John Osbourne of Mossfield, farmer, and Oliver Sproule of Curraghamulkin, farmer

 

The Sons of Cornet Andrew – their Ages from the Deeds

 What do We Know?

What do we know for certain about the sons of Cornet Andrew Spruell? What are the actual facts that we learn in the 1719 deed and the two deeds in Nov 1731? (See below for Deeds)

From the 1719 Deed, we learnt:

1.       Cornet Andrew Spruell has 7 sons.

2.       These sons are all alive in 1719. Can we be certain that they are all alive? Yes, fairly certain. If we think of a conversation, Cornet Andrew may refer to his 5^th, 6^th and 7^th sons even if one of the seven has previously died. But this is a legal document. If one of the sons were dead at the time, then at a later stage a usurper could come and claim to be a missing son based on this deed. Legally, Cornet Andrew would have left himself exposed. The sons must all have been alive. But they don’t all have to have been in Ireland, of course.

3.       We learn the names of the 3 youngest sons and the 1719 deed gives us their order. Joseph is the 5^th son. Charles is the 6^th son and Oliver is the youngest, he is the 7^th son.

 

From the 1731 Deeds we learnt quite a lot about the ages of these sons:

Andrew, James, Joseph and Charles Sproule were all born before 1710. The two 1731 deeds are in the names of 4 of the sons, that is 4 of the sons are named as parties to one or other of the deeds. These are Andrew, James, Joseph and Charles. It is these four sons who legally now take over these lands in these leases. That tells us that in 1731 these four sons have all reached the age of majority, they are all over 21 years old.

Oliver, the youngest son, is only named as a ‘life’ on one lease, he is not a party to these leases. This suggests that in 1731, Oliver Sproule may not have reached his majority. Oliver is named as a life with Joseph Sproule who took over the Curraghamulkin Lands, which might mean that it was intended that Oliver would take over some of the Curraghamulkin lands when he is older – this bit is speculation.

We know that this is the order of the boys, Andrew, James, Joseph, Charles and Oliver. Andrew is the oldest boy named in these deeds.

The Missing Sons are also born before 1710 We know from the 1719 deed that the 2 missing sons are older than Joseph. (Joseph was named as the 5^th son).

So we know for sure that the 2 missing sons were also born before 1710. Cornet Andrew had 6 sons before 1710. This would suggest that the older boy / boys could well have been born before  1700.

We do not know where the missing boys fit in the first 4 sons, whether they are first, second etc.

We do know that the likelihood is that they were all alive in 1719, but the missing sons are not referred to in any way in the 1731 deeds. We don’t know where they are, or whether they are alive or not.

They could be somewhere else in Ireland, they may have died or they may be overseas.

There are possibilities – but nothing definite - to follow on this.

 

References:

• 1719 Deed - 41 289 25944 Registryof Deeds, Familysearch.org
• 1731 Deed 1 - 99 81 68007 Registryof Deeds, Familysearch.org
• 1731 Deed 2 - 94 533 67557 Registry ofDeeds Familysearch.org

Document with Information on Magheracrigan and Curraghamulkin Sons

 One of my most pleasurable experiences was rooting through old cardboard boxes in PRONI, the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland, in Belfast. One of these was the box of  documents of James Sproule Crockett & Ors Solicitors, and it had some good information, including this one on the Magheracrigan and Curraghamulkin Sproules.

At that time you were not permitted to copy documents, so I have here my notes.

 In the box of deeds LR1/1605/1 of James Sproule Crockett & Ors, County Tyrone, Record Number NI 165, Box 1605.

This is document is dated 30 May 1835 and in it Andrew Sproule of Crigan (Magheracrigan)  in Ardstraw is handing over land land that had been left in the will of Andrew of Curraghamulkin to  Andrew Sproule junior, his son. It records the death of other sons, though no dates.

Andrew Sproule late of Grannan (this is Andrew of Curraghamulkin) deceased did by his last will and testament bearing the date 27 July 1797 bequeatherd the lands of …. Therein mentioned described as then in the possession of a Alexander King,  12 acres unto his son Joseph Sproul during the said Joseph Sproul and his wife Elizabeth’s lives and after their decease to the sons of said Joseph Sproul namely James and Andrew and in the case that the said persons should die without issue then the said lands to go to his two sons Charles Sproule and Andrew Sproul. And the said Andrew Sproul did further also by this said will bequeath unto his son James Sproule that part of the lands of Screen then in possession of the Widdow Hall  and now in the possession of Benjamen and Robert Hall and if James should die without issue the said lands were to go to his sons Charles and Andrew. Andrew of Crigan is now passing these lands to his son Andrew.

 So in this document we learn:

• Andrew Sproule of Curraghamulkin was also referred to as Andrew Sproule of Grennan
• Andrew of Curraghamulkin had a son Joseph , who is now dead in 1835
• Son Joseph had two sons James and Andrew who are now both dead with without issue
• Andrew of Curraghamulkin also had two sons Charles and Andrew Sproule (Andrew of Magheracrigan) We assume Charles is also now dead, though it doesn’t state that.
• Andrew of Curraghamulkin also had a son James, who is also dead without issue.
• Andrew Sproule of Curraghamulkin is passing all of the land left by these deaths to his son Andrew.

Note - John Sproule Crockett, the Solictor, was the son of John Clare Crockett and Martha Sproule of the Holm

The Marriage Settlement of Chadwallader Blayney and Mary Sproule 1792

 This is the marriage settlement of Chadwallader (Cadwallader) Blayney, son of Ambrose Blayney of Oughterard and then Dullaghan,  and Mary Sproule, daughter of John Sproule of Grennan 11 Ap 1792

 

478 553 311812 Registry of Deeds, Familysearch.org, transcribed by Kate Tammemagi

A memorial of a deed or articles of marriage dated 11 Ap 1792 between Ambrose Blaney of Oughterard in the Parish of Dromore Co Tyrone, farmer in the first part, John Sproule of Grennan in the said parish in the second part, also in the second part Chadwalader Blayney eldest son of the said Ambrose Blayney of the 3^rd part Mary Sproule, eldest daughter of the said John Sproule of the fourth part. Whereby for the consideration therein mentioned namely the said marriage it is agreed in case the said Mary Sproule should survive survive the said intended husband Chadwallader Blayney having issue then it shall and may be lawful for the said Mary Sproule to take and receive the tenants, leases and profits of all that part of the lands of Bodony situated in the parish of Dromore in the occupation of the said Chad. Blayney this understood to consist of about 40 acres of arable and green pasture with the bog … belonging and after her decease then to the heirs of Chad Blayney by her begotten. It was further agreed in case the said Mary Sproule should die within the space of 12 months from the date thereof without issue 50% of her fortune should be returned. 

And the said Ambrose Blanyey did by the said deed did grant make over unto his son the said Chad Blayney for the consideration therein mentioned all that part of the said lands of Bodoney all his title rights interest therein. And the said John Sproule in the said deed did grant and make over one yearly rent charge of thirteen pounds and thirteen shillings issuable and payable from out of the lands of Dullaghan in the Parish of Dromore to be payable until the sum of one hundred pounds sterling be paid the said Chad Blayney for the marriage portion of the said Mary Sproule. In case the said Mary Sproule should survive the said Chad. Blayney after the expiration of Cormac McNulty and Owen McNulty’s lease then she is only to receive the yearly sum of 10 pounds sterling during her life.

Witnessed James Buchanan of Omagh Gent, Charles Thompson and Charles Caldwell both of the parish of Dromore

James Buchanan and Charles Caldwell did the registration of the deed.

Part 1 – The Big Breakthough in Sproule DNA

 Like all of us, I get a great thrill when there is a big breakthrough on my family tree. But lately, I have been getting an even bigger buzz from helping Sproules from all over the world to get closer to their breakthough. So it was with huge pleasure that I wrote this email to Tommy, a man who had searched for many, many years to find his family’s home...

This was the reason I had become involved with Joe Sprowl on the Sproule DNA Project - this was the dream. Could we find a specific piece of Sproule DNA that would allow us link a Sproule somewhere in the world to a specific family? Something like a  magic DNA diagnostic tool to help those Sproules who had no clue where their family came from. And here it was.

The Sproule DNA Project had been going for some years. The late Philip Sprowl had begun working with Sproule folk, collecting their Y-DNA, and this mantle was then taken up by Joe Sprowl. Joe does trojan work canvassing project members, analysing the data and managing the whole project.

Joe had made contact with me, and we quickly realised that we shared the same aims. Y-DNA is the male DNA, passed down from male to male, from Sproule to Sproule. But there are problems in making use of this, even with this special Y-DNA, and I had very strong feelings on the topic. I found that Joe shared the same views.

It is terrific to have this Y-DNA. However, DNA on its own is useless. We need a database to compare it to. It’s like the police having the DNA of a suspect, but then find they have no database to turn to to search for him/her. 

Only, in our case in genealogy, the situation is much worse! We have databases online, family trees. The problem is that a lot of the early information, the pre-1850 information, on many of these trees is just plain wrong.  It is like the police having a database that is full of forgeries, mistakes, or incorrect information. We needed validated exemplars of family trees to compare the DNA to.

So we worked together, Joe on the DNA side and me working on the different family trees.

And then came that special day. Joe emailed me:

“Kate we have found a mutation BY105178, it is shared by just 4 project members. The others do not have it. What does this mean? They are:

1. Fred Jun
2. Ben
3. George
4. Tommy

When I looked at that first name, Fred Jun, I knew we were in business – we had found something special. I was very familiar with Fred Jun's family tree, it is the family tree of Fred Sproule who passed away in 1998. Fred was a meticulous Sproule researcher, he loved facts and figures, and he double checked everything. His tree was totally validated. 

We had a single, specific mutation for someone who had a validated Sproule family tree - and not just any Sproule family tree. 

This is the family that Elder made famous - this is the Grennan Sproules.

(The names of our project members have been changed in this post)

Part 2 – The Big Breakthough in Sproule DNA, the Timeline

Part 3 – The Big Breakthough in Sproule DNA, Using the Mutation

 

Elder's Tree showing Sproules of Upper Grennan and the Caldwell Family

This is another of the family trees produced by Jack Elder in 1890. This tree overlaps with the Caldwell trees - Elder was also a Caldwell.

It shows the Sproules of Upper Grennan in County Tyrone; Ramelton in County Donegal; Kesh in County Fermanagh.

*** Note: Regarding the Robert Sproule who married Rebecca Sproule at the top left of this tree - this Rebecca Sproule is, in fact, the sister of the Nabob, Robert Sproule of Termnamongan. There will be more on this family in later posts.

For more information:

• For more Jack Elder Sproule family trees, see the posts immediately before and following this post
• For information on the source of this tree see John Inch and Jack Elder - Early Sproule Family Historians