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1830

On 10th February the body of Elizabeth Spence was discovered drowned in a pond of water, a short distance from her home at Ballyhenry. She was an unmarried woman, about fifty years of age, who lived with her mother and brothers. A verdict of suicide was returned.

 

Following the death of John Hervey in 1829, George McCulloch took over Nurseryville on the Belfast Road. On 9th April 1830 he advertised that “his present choice stock of fruit and forest trees, shrubs, herbaceous and greenhouse plants will be disposed of at the late reduced prices”.

 

Following his election to Parliament in August, Viscount Castlereagh travelled through Comber on his way to Mount Stewart. At Comber he was met by thousands of the “delighted tenantry” and was chaired through the streets. He visited the principal houses of the town before proceeding to Newtownards. Various pageants were enacted.

 

Rev George Watson Birch of St Mary’s died on 18th September in his 30th year, universally beloved in life, and regretted in death by all who knew him.

 

Newtownards and Comber Farming Society held its autumn meeting for the exhibition of stock in Comber in October. Mr Wm Davidson of Ballystockart was awarded the Society’s medal for best cultivated farm.

 

James McCormick, at one time a respectable farmer, was found drowned at the Newtown Bridge in Comber on 19th October. It was assumed he wandered into the water in a state of intoxication on Comber Fair night.

1831

In February John Smylie from Comber got into a quarrel with some men at Ballyhackamore. One of them struck Smylie with a whip, as a result of which he died.

 

Also in February the Comber Yeomanry Corps under their new lieutenant Guy Stone met and swore allegiance to King William IV.

 

James Ralph died on 26th April, being the last of the firm of the Messrs Ralph of Comber, who in the space of forty years made a princely fortune by mercantile business.

 

Lord Castlereagh’s election to Parliament was the cause of celebration in May. At Comber the town was lit up with blazing tar barrels, including a number suspended from two large trees erected in the Square. Candles were placed in the windows of the houses and there were parades through the streets. Much ale and whiskey were consumed.

 

Robert Ferrier Jex-Blake, an Englishman, became rector at St Mary’s. He remained until 1851 when he returned to his native Norfolk.

 

According to the records, the oldest Orange Lodge in Comber is Comber Old Standard (LOL 567), which has a warrant of 1831 to John McCormick of Comber. It has a long association with the Stone family of Barnhill and a previous banner carried a painting of Bessie Stone.

 

Comber got a new school, in connection with the Presbyterian congregation. It was built with the assistance of the Hibernian Society who gave a grant of £5 10s and paid the master sixpence quarterly “for each of his pupils who are qualified to pass an examination”. He also received 2/- or 2/6 per quarter from each of his pupils. In 1837 there were 34 male and 32 female pupils. This school continued until 1869. The building still exists at First Comber Church.

1832

A contract was entered into with the Post Master General for a daily conveyance of His Majesty's Mail between Belfast & Downpatrick. The mail car would pass through Comber. Later in the year a commission was set up to survey a new mail coach road from Belfast to Downpatrick.

 

Guy Stone of Barnhill recorded in his diary for 5th April that the large planting of trees of the hill had been completed.

 

The Grand Orange Lodge of County Down held their annual meeting at Comber on 4th April.

 

Lord Londonderry gave a lease for 3 lives of an old paper mill on the banks of the Enler to Robert Stitt for the purpose of starting a Distillery. This mill on the Newtownards Road had belonged to John Ward, father of Marcus Ward who later established a stationery and publishing business in Belfast. Stitt entered into partnership with William Byrne and John McCance, and the firm was known as Byrne, Stitt and McCance. This was known as the Lower Distillery.

 

Meanwhile a serious fire occurred in July at the Upper Distillery in Killinchy Street. An excise officer called Shields was trying the strength of some liquor which was being distilled when the dipping rod came into contact with a lighted candle. There was an explosion, in which several men were badly injured, including John Miller, one of the partners in the Distillery who was severely burned. A large stock of whiskey and the principal part of the premises were saved.

 

The ninth annual Cattle Show of Newtownards and Comber Farming Society was held in Comber in October.

 

Guy Stone records on 10th November that he and Tom Taggart were travelling to Knocknagoney after dark in Guy’s gig when the Comber coach ran against them and Tom was thrown out of the gig.

 

Lord Londonderry erected a house for the master at the rear of the Erasmus Smith School. It later became the residence of the sexton, and then was re-modelled as a house for the curate.

1833

On 7th February a meeting of the Barony of Castlereagh took place in Comber to consider petitioning Parliament for a revision of the Grand Jury Laws.

 

The speech of W Sharman Crawford excited quite a bit of interest, while resolutions were put by Rev Fletcher Blakeley (Moneyrea), John Miller and Guy Stone, among others, regarding reform of the system.

 

The death occurred on 11th April of George Andrews, youngest son of James, at the age of 23.

 

In June a monument was installed in St Mary's in memory of the late George Birch and his son George Watson Birch, both former rectors, who were very highly thought of by the parishioners.

 

In August a man named Gibson, who lived outside Comber, was arrested following an incident in Newtownards when he struck the driver of the Donaghadee mail-car with a whip and fractured his skull.

 

An 8-year-old girl called Thomson was killed in October when climbing up on a cart laden with mortar. The cart overbalanced and struck the child, killing her on the spot.

1834

On 13th March a meeting of landholders of Comber Parish called for the abolition of tithes and for legislation to support the poor. Up until this time much of Comber Parish had been tithe free, but this was all going to change under new legislation. An anti-tithe petition was signed by many of the landholders, and the result was that Comber Parish and other areas which had been tithe-free would remain so.

 

Also on 13th March someone entered the stable of Robert Boyd of Ballynichol and attempted to hough one of his best farm-horses with a sharp instrument.

 

The Ralph Will Case was heard at Downpatrick. After careful consideration the will of James Ralph was upheld.

 

The Andrews family were fond of gardening. Michael of Ardoyne was the honorary secretary of the Belfast Horticultural Society and a regular exhibitor, while Isaac’s name in particular appeared as a prize-winner for many years, not only in Comber but also in Newtownards, Downpatrick and Belfast. He was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society of Ireland for draining his land at his own expense. William Glenny was an expert on the cultivation of flax. He had an article on the subject published as a special supplement in the Belfast News-Letter on 25th March 1834. Michael of Ardoyne was admitted a member of the Royal Dublin Society in 1834 and was awarded the gold medal at the annual exhibition in 1835 for his fine linens and damasks.

 

In September a three-year-old child was killed after running on to the street and being knocked down by the Downpatrick Mail-car.

 

A fire at the Lower Distillery of Messrs Byrne, Stitt and McCance, on 21st October. was brought under control without any serious loss.

 

Mrs Myles, who ran Comber Ladies School, announced that her present engagement would expire on 18th November. After that date she intended to open public classes in her house for the instruction of young ladies.

1835

William Glenny Andrews was awarded a Gold Medal by the Royal Dublin Society for best essay on the cause of the recent partial failure of the potato crop, and the most effectual means of preventing a recurrence.

 

Due to expansion of the flour and linen business, and the lack of water in summer to keep the machinery running, the firm of James Andrews & Sons installed a steam engine which could be used by either mill. The foundation stone of the engine house was laid in May 1835 and first trials took place on 24th December. Total cost for engine, engine house and chimney was £1,200.

 

Joseph Andrews died on 24th July, aged 31.

 

The ancient yew trees at Uraghmore were referred to at a meeting of the British Association in Dublin.

 

There was a meeting in Comber of about 50 people in Barry’s store, chaired by Guy Stone, regarding a petition to Parliament in favour of Sharman Crawford’s Landlord and Tenant Bill. Mr Crawford addressed the meeting.

 

James Andrews’ wife (Frances Glenny) died on 5th December, aged 62. She had been in delicate health for a long time and had never got over her son Joseph’s death.

1836

After installation of the steam engine, the whole works of James Andrews and Sons was now re-organised. More power was provided to drive more machinery by the erection of 4 new water wheels. In addition there was a wheel at Castlebeg for the beetling engine and another at the Corn Mill.

 

Demand for white flour had increased to such an extent that there wasn’t sufficient wheat grown locally to keep the Comber Mill supplied. Most of the wheat imported into the UK at this time came from the Continent, especially Russia, Poland and France. But in 1836 Canadian wheat was ground at Comber. It wasn’t a success, however, only considered good enough to make second quality flour. This would have been winter-sown wheat from Ontario, not the magnificent spring variety later produced on the Western Prairies.

 

Considerable repair work was carried out at the Presbyterian Meeting House at a cost of £300. Rev McCance, the minister there, had a stroke on 9th April.

 

Jane Gracey was given 4 months' imprisonment for stealing , for stealing money at Comber on 20th February, the property of Benjamin Fisher, guilty.

 

John Barry, owner of Barry's Hotel, died in April.

 

In August a boy named Wm Robson, from the neighbourhood of Comber, was sent to Loughries bog for a load of turf, and was induced to drink a quantity of whiskey. He became insensible and was placed on top of a load of turf, from which he fell off, dying from injuries received.

 

Messrs Johnston and Miller, of Comber were appointed Agents for the Ulster Bank, a branch of which opened in the town on 1st November.

 

The Poor Law Enquiry was conducted throughout Ireland. Four prominent people were asked for their opinions on a number of issues relating to Comber – Rev McCance, Rev Jex-Blake, John Andrews and Fletcher Blakely (minister of Moneyrea). It was estimated that some 100 persons per year were emigrating from Comber to North America, mainly Canada. There were 6 deserted children on the Parish books. The number of bastard children was said to be considerable.

1837

On 19th January Guy Stone recorded that an influenza epidemic had been raging for the last fortnight, and in some places had been fatal, especially to old people.

 

Daniel Ingram and James McCreery were given two months' jail for walking in an Orange procession at Comber.

 

John McCance decided to retire as Presbyterian minister, due to ill health following his stroke of the previous year. He had been minister for 47 years (since 1790).

 

John Miller was one of the owners of the Upper Distillery in Comber. Shortly after settling in Comber, he resolved that a Unitarian congregation should be established there and, having procured a large loft, arranged for ministers to come and preach. Amongst these were Dr. Montgomery, S. Nelson, W. Crozier, Hugh Moore and Fletcher Blakeley.

 

"This day was fine, but it came on to snow heavily in the evening. I was not out much, until I walked into Comber to dine at Miller’s. Had on a suit of my new clothes. Dined at half past 3. Dr Montgomery of the Belfast Institution dined there and Mr Blakely of Moneyrea. Dr M was to preach in Barry’s Old Barn, which has been fitted up, and there are to be a series of preachers professing New Light principles to preach there every Sunday evening throughout the summer. The preaching began at 5 o’clock. Montgomery preached 2 hours. It was more a historical and comparing sermon than a doctrinal or controversial one, chiefly showing the causes of difference and separation between the Synod of Ulster and the Remonstrant Synod. The place was very crowded, about 300 must have been there. I was home by 8 o’clock."

[From Guy Stone’s diary 2nd April 1837]

 

The attempt to form a separate Unitarian congregation in Comber was greatly stimulated by a sermon preached in the old meeting house by Rev Anderson of Killinchy. In it he spoke of the Unitarian Sophists speaking forth their impious blasphemies from their polluted lips. A number of the congregation took great exception to this, including James Andrews. It was at this time that most of the Andrews family severed their connections with the old congregation. James Andrews identified himself with the new movement to found a Unitarian congregation in the town. It is recorded that he officiated as Elder, handing round the bread and wine, at the first communion service held in the temporary room used for worship.

 

Dr Goudy of Comber died on 8th April, of a fever caught while attending patients.

 

Robert Stitt and John McCance retired from the Lower Distillery, and William Byrne went into business with Arthur Gaffikin, having married his sister. Their father was John Gaffikin. The firm was now known as Byrne and Gaffikin.

 

Meanwhile George Johnston of the Upper Distillery died on 22nd October. By 1846 John Miller was running the Distillery with a Mr Cairns, probably James Cairns of Maxwell Court.

 

The Spring Dam was completed by James Andrews & Sons at the side of the bleach works “We have now effectually succeeded in securing and completely a pool of beautiful, pure, soft water, superior we think to any we have seen, which will be of infinite value in finishing the nicer articles”.

 

In 1837 the Erasmus Smith or Londonderry School had 233 pupils – 137 boys and 96 girls. They were all Protestant except for 8, who were Roman Catholics. The inclusion of Catholics shows surprising toleration only 8 years after emancipation had been granted to them in 1829. School attendance was not compulsory. The Master received £30 yearly from the Erasmus Smith Foundation, and one halfpenny weekly from each of the pupils who were able to pay.

 

The vestry of St Mary’s had expended considerable sums on repairs, and having consulted with Lord Londonderry, in 1829 it had been resolved to build a new church on the existing site. The Bishop gave his consent in 1837, with building commencing the following year.

 

"Mr Blake called here yesterday. He has just returned from England, where he had been for the last 3 months. He had been very ill whilst there and appears greatly shaken. He called concerning the subscription to the building of a new church in Comber, which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have promised to build forthwith as soon as a definite sum is subscribed. I gave him £15, being more than I should have give either from income or in comparison with other subscribers who have a far greater interest in the parish than I have.

[Guy Stone’s diary, 30th August 1837]

 

On 4th September an inquest on the body of Mary White found "That death had been occasioned by deceased taking opium in a state of temporary derangement".

 

On 12th November Dr Henry Cooke preached in Comber Presbyterian Church to raise money for the Comber Sunday Schools.

1838

A new weekly market was established in Comber, held on a Tuesday. Following up on its success, a deputation (Rev Jex Blake and Rev RA Parke) visited Lord Londonderry to request the erection of a suitable Market House. This was granted, and in the meantime the Marquis instructed John Andrews to provide an extensive space enclosed by lofty walls, and to put up roomy sheds.

 

At a meeting to consider the Irish Poor Law Bill now before the Commons, it was in principle agreed that it was proper that there should be a system for relief of the misery of the poor. However, it was also thought that any parish already operating a system of relief, such as Comber which had had a poor house for 14 years, should be allowed to petition for exemption from the scheme on the condition that they elected Poor Law Guardians with power to levy a tax for support of their own poor. Money could be saved in so doing. Lord Castlereagh presented this petition in the House of Commons on 28th February, but to no avail.

 

The Poor Law Act of 1838 set up a universal system of poor relief in Ireland in which local people were made responsible for the paupers in their area. The country was divided into Poor Law Unions, administered by the Poor law Guardians and centred on a large town in which was situated the dreaded workhouse. Comber was in the Newtownards Union. The Comber Dispensary Committee looked after local matters in the Comber Dispensary district. The functions of the Comber House of Industry were taken over by the new workhouse erected in Newtownards in 1841 and the building became a dwelling house or houses.

 

Elinor Sarah Elizabeth, wife of the Rev R.F. Jex Blake, died on 19th March, having given birth to a stillborn child.

 

Many Presbyterians were unhappy with the selection of Isaac Nelson, who was chosen to replace Rev McCance as minister in Comber. Some tried to have the verdict overturned on a technicality – the minister who read the poll list had omitted to mention the amount of stipend paid by each voter, as required by church law. Dr Henry Cooke suggested that, since the district was short of church accommodation, the best course would be to form a new congregation, and a commission was appointed to effect an amiable separation. And so 2nd Comber was formed. Isaac Nelson was ordained as minister of 1st Comber on 27th August 1838.

 

Around 70 families formed the original 2nd Comber congregation. For almost two years they met in a loft at the bottom of High Street – in Milling’s Yard. This “upper room” has been demolished, and housing now occupies the site.

 

William Hugh Doherty was installed as minister of the newly-formed Unitarian congregation at Comber on 9th July. Born in Dunadry, Co Antrim, he had been brought up a Methodist, but became a convert to Unitarianism when at Bible College. He had been minister of the Remonstrant congregation of Ballyhemlin from 1834 until his call to Comber.

 

Following the installation service, the congregation adjourned to the site of the new meeting house where James Andrews laid the foundation stone and the Rev Dr Montgomery delivered a suitable address, in which he referred to the generosity of Mr Andrews who had donated the site. Originally the plan was to build the church in Killinchy Street, where 2nd Comber is today. The congregation had gone as far as to lease the site from Lord Londonderry, but this was withdrawn for political reasons, it being deemed that Unitarians would be likely to support the Liberal party, whereas Lord Londonderry was a Tory.

 

The death occurred on 29th May of James Andrews' son Thomas, aged 40, of typhus fever. This was a great loss to the business of James Andrews & Sons, and necessitated the appointment of a commercial traveller for linen, W. G. Taylor.

 

Guy Stone recorded in June that Miss Mackay had given up her school in Comber and was going to Newry.

 

On 19th November Lord Londonderry laid the foundation stone of the new St Mary's Parish Church in Comber.

1839

January 6th-7th saw the Night of the Big Wind hit Ireland. There was devastation in Comber. The Upper Distillery had its chimney blown down, while the Lower Distillery also suffered damage. Another chimney unable to stand against the mighty storm was that of the Andrews’ Flour Mill. (When it was rebuilt in August 7,000 circular bricks were brought over from Scotland at 35 shillings per thousand. The top of the Andrews windmill on Windmill Hill (built in 1792) blew off and so damaged the roof of the new Unitarian Church that its opening had to be postponed for a year.

 

John Rogers was ordained as minister of 2nd Comber Presbyterian Church on 27th March. He was almost 27, having been born in 1812 in the parish of Aghadowey. He had been licensed to preach the Gospel in 1837 by the Presbytery of Coleraine.

 

Before the ordination took place, James Blackwood of Strangford House, a relative of Lord Londonderry, laid the foundation stone of the new meeting house in the presence of 1,000 people. The crowd then retired to a spacious tent erected in the grounds of the proposed building in Killinchy Street for the ordination ceremony. In the evening the congregation entertained their minister and friends, around 80 in total, at Mr McMeekin’s Inn. Among those who joined the new congregation was the Rev John McCance, former minister of the old Presbyterian congregation.

 

By April 1839 there were around 600 communicants at what was now 1st Comber congregation. Of these 98 were young people. The church gave between £2-3 a month to assist the poor, usually a shilling or sometimes two shillings per person. These included names such as Widow Johnston, Old McVeigh and Blind Marshall. Most of these people were widows. Before the House of Industry opened in 1824, this was the only assistance these people got.

 

A testimonial was held on 29th May for Rev Isaac Nelson on completion of his first year as minister. Mr S Ritchie read the address and Mr W Stitt presented Rev Nelson with a gold watch. 66 people consented to take collecting cards for the Home and Foreign Missions of the Synod of Ulster.

 

On 19th October Charles James Andrews, Barrister-at-law, son of James Andrews of Comber, married Anne Elizabeth, daughter of John Leslie of Courtmacsherry, County Cork.

Comber through the Ages

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