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1850

Messrs Byrne and Gaffikin of the Lower Distillery were fined £200 for carrying on a retail and spirit trade in an establishment within two miles of their distillery. The defence claimed that the retail trade was carried out by John Byrne, the son of one of the partners, in his own right, and that they had no interest in this business. Arthur Gaffikin died in January and William Byrne was left in sole charge. The stock of whiskey was sold to a man named Cowan in Belfast on the actual day of Gaffikin's funeral. John Miller's offer of £1,300 for the Distillery was not considered sufficient, although in 1851 Miller would eventually purchase it.

 

Some 500 tenant farmers and their supporters gathered on 7th February in Second Comber for a Tenant-Right meeting. Rev John Rogers was one of the main speakers, and resolutions were passed against the distressed state of agricultural interests, calling for legislation for its removal, and to secure legal protection for tenant industry and property. Funds were collected by Tenant Right Associations throughout Ulster to send a deputation to London to argue their case. Rev Rogers was a member of that deputation.

 

In March John Cowan was sentenced to be transported for ten years for a burglary at the house of James Finlay at Comber on 11th January at Comber. He had stolen some clothing, table linen and bedding. Thomas Graham got six months with hard labour for pick pocketing at Comber Fair on 28th June, while James Rodney was given the same sentence but in addition was to be twice whipped. This was for assaulting a woman and stealing money from her. John Clarke was give nine months in jail with hard labour for stealing a watch, while George McKeown was sentenced to twelve months for passing base coin.

 

The Belfast and County Down Railway (BCDR) opened from Belfast to Comber and Newtownards on 6th May 1850. The grand opening was a gala occasion, and thousands of people took advantage of the beautiful weather to enjoy a trip through the scenic countryside in the train from Queen’s Quay Station, which was suitably decorated with flags and streamers. There were long queues for tickets which caused delays to the service, but no one seemed to mind too much. Crowds gathered at all the little stations along the line, including Comber, to indulge in train spotting.

 

William Hugh Doherty, Unitarian minister of Comber, emigrated to America, becoming Minster of the Unitarian congregation in Rochester, New York. Two of his sons are buried in the Church of Ireland graveyard - Eugene, died 1847, and William Hugh, died 1849.

 

The Rev John Orr, formerly of Strabane, was installed in June as the new minister of Comber Non-subscribing congregation. He was the son of Rev Alex Orr, who had succeeded Doherty at Ballyhemlin.

 

The Northern Bank opened in Comber in the building now housing the Georgian House restaurant.

 

Around 1850 it is reported that an infant school was being held in the Market House. And Bronze Age burial urns were found on Andrews Bleach Green.

1851

The Comber Steeplechase took place on 2nd January. The day was fine, and it was said that the spectators were more numerous than had ever been seen at any race in that part of the country. The day passed off without incident.

 

Rose Cullen died after being run down at Connswater by a horse and cart belonging to David Moore of Ringcreevy.

 

In March Henry Riddle of Comber discovered ancient burial urns when making a ditch in one of his fields.

 

Rev Robert Ferrier Jex Blake, rector of Comber, returned to his native Norfolk. A presentation of a silver kettle and stand was made to him on 7th August. He was replaced at St Mary's by William Thomas Delacherois Crommelin, son of Nicholas Delacherois Crommelin of Carrowdore, and curate of the Chapel of Ease, Cushendun.

 

On 16th April an Address and presentation was made to the Misses Haddock, who had run a school in Comber for the last nine years. They were moving to Coleraine.

 

Also in April, an accident occurred on the railway. As a train was approaching Comber from Belfast, the engine was thrown off the rails and buried itself in an embankment. There had been a fault at the points. No one was hurt.

 

Jane, wife of the Rev J M Killen, died on 11th May.

 

William Byrne, owner of the Lower Distillery, was declared bankrupt and thrown into prison, apparently illegally, first in Downpatrick and later in the Marchalsea, Dublin. There were great rejoicings in Comber in November on the news of his release. Meanwhile the bank had sold the Lower Distillery to John Miller in September for the sum of £1,400, a sum which was felt to be too cheap.

1852

On 25th January arsonists set fire to Killynether House, the home of Thomas McLeroth JP. One wing of the building was completely destroyed before neighbouring farmers and their servants, aided by the police, succeeded in extinguishing the flames, but not till one wing of the building was completely destroyed. Mr McLeroth was not in residence at the time.

 

The death occurred on 4th April of Mary Ann Drew, the wife of Isaac Andrews. She had never completely recovered from the birth of her daughter Frances earlier in the year.

 

Guy Stone records opening of the tenders for the goods shed at Comber Station on 2nd June.

 

In September the body of Mary Anne Owens from Comber, a respectable woman of around 60 years, was found in the water at Donegall Quay. She had in her pocket a ticket for a passage by the Whitehaven boat by which she had intended to travel to see her daughter who lived thereabouts. Earlier she had been observed in one of the sheds somewhat unsteady in appearance, and a bottle was found in her pocket containing a small quantity of spirits.

 

In December, another native of Comber, a sailor named Daniel Bald, was accidentally drowned in the River Quoile near Downpatrick when he fell from the gangway leading from the wharf to his vessel. It is thought that the plank was not properly secured.

 

A harmonium was purchased at St Mary's Parish Church, and this was played for the first time in November.

1853

On the morning of 4th January Aaron McMurray, surgeon, was found lying dead on a footpath near his residence. His death was thought to have been caused by intemperance, along with exposure to the cold night air and rain.

 

Samuel Mills, for many years master of the Erasmus Smith School in Comber was appointed to the school of Lord Ranfurly at Dungannon. The Comber school was described as a model, having obtained first prize from the Board.

 

Guy Stone tells of work being done to the East Window at St Mary's, which was being coloured to exclude the glare of the sun.

 

On 10th August the body of an infant was found in a well outside Comber. The child had a stone tied round its neck. A woman called Eliza Nugent, a wandering beggar and native of Tyrone, was brought before the magistrates, charged with deserting her illegitimate child at Ballylesson about the middle of July, and on suspicion of drowning its twin brother near Comber. The woman was discharged as there was no evidence that the dead child was hers. There was a strong presumption, however, that she was the mother.

 

A meeting was held on 15th September in the Market House to consider reviving the weekly market in Comber. It was recommended that this should take place, and be extended to the sale of pork, flax, butter, poultry, eggs etc. A committee was appointed to look into the matter, with a proposed starting date of 4th October for the market, to be held in the Square.

 

Comber Steeplechase was held on 26th December. The weather was favourable, and there was an immense crowd, with over 4,000 people being transported by rail from Belfast alone. The total crowd was estimated at from fifteen to twenty thousand. A large stand had been erected at Evans's Hill at Cherryvalley, with a refreshment room beneath, while an amateur brass band played favourite airs. The Magnetic Telegraph Company had wires laid down from the stand to the nearest point on the railway, so that the result of each event was instantly telegraphed to Belfast. The sport was, on the whole, considered good.

1854

The 3rd Marquis of Londonderry died on 6th March. Allusions were made to his death by Rev Crommelin on the following Sunday in Comber Parish Church.

 

Guy Stone records that 26th April is being kept as a Fast Day on account of the war in the Crimea.

 

On 11th November a book written by Rev Killen of 1st Comber was published. It was entitled " Our Friends in Heaven; or the Mutual Recognition of the Redeemed in Glory Demonstrated".

 

On 17th November the brethren of Masonic Lodge No 46 met in Barry’s Hotel for a farewell supper for Thomas Watts who was leaving Comber for an appointment as surveyor and general examiner of Excise.

 

Guy, son of Guy Stone of Barn Hill, died on 24th November, aged 24 years. Guy himself resigned as Chairman of the Belfast and County Down Railway in December.

 

December saw an outbreak of cholera in Comber. This mainly affected the area known as the Coo Vennel (High Street). Additional medical help was sought from Belfast, and a Dr Gibson arrived to assist Dr Kennedy. However, for all their valiant efforts, they could not prevent several deaths.

1855

On 11th April a banquet took place in Newtownards as a testimonial to Rev John Rogers of Second Comber. This was in acknowledgement of his services in the cause of the tenant farmers of Ulster. He was presented with a large silver salver and tea service, plus two hundred and twenty gold sovereigns.

 

Guy Stone of Barnhill erected a Memorial Tablet to his ancestors in St Mary's. The Tablet was made by Robinson's of York Street, Belfast, for £17, and was put in place on 7-8th May.

 

The cairn of stones on top of Scrabo was removed, and a hoard of Viking coins was found.

 

On 23rd August a child aged two years and seven months, belonging to George McCullough, residing in the neighbourhood of Comber, was found drowned in a well. A verdict of accidental death was returned.

 

The crowds were out in Comber on the evening of 11th September to celebrate the fall of Sebastopol in the Crimea. Tar barrels were lit and kept burning all night, and fireworks were let off. A band from Newtownards paraded the streets of the town where people were cheering loudly on account of the victory.

 

On 23rd October the Rev William de la Cherois Crommelin of Comber married Matilda Cairns of Cultra in Cushendun Parish Church.

 

Also in October, a soiree was held in Second Comber in honour of Mr Alexander Reid, musical instructor, on the occasion of the termination of his musical engagements with the congregation. About 600 people sat down to tea at seven o’clock. Various addresses were delivered from visiting ministers on topics such as “Christian Union”, “Temperance”, “American Slavery" and “Music”.

 

Over 160 children assembled in St Mary’s schoolroom for the annual Sunday School fete. After an address by the Rev Edmondson of Saintfield, they feasted on tea and currant bread, sang hymns and played games in a nearby field. A large bonfire was lit in the Square.

 

Mr William Campbell took over the Nursery at Nurseryville, having purchased the interest of the late Mrs McCullough in the property.

1856

On 24th January a young man named Thomas Hanna (or Henny?) was killed at the Andrews Corn Mill after getting caught up in the machinery.

 

A testimonial was presented in February to Hugh Kennedy, an employee of the Belfast and County Down Railway Company, who had worked at Comber Station since the opening of the line. This was a token of respect for his kindness and good conduct.

 

On 1st April tar barrels were burnt in the Square and fireworks let off to celebrate the peace with Russia in the Crimean War. Unfortunately the fireworks were badly affected by the wet weather. And on Comber Fair Day, April 7th, Guy Stone comments that this was the first time he had seen an up-and-down and merry-go-round there.

 

The accounts of First Comber for 1855-6 showed an income of £116. £85 of this came from the renting of seats, while a further £25 was from Sabbath collections. By far the main item of expenditure was the £80 annual stipend to the minister, Rev Killen. The precentor got a salary of 10 guineas.

 

On 10th April the dead body of a child, of about a month old, was found in a mill pond in the vicinity of Comber. The mother, Jane McVey, was acquitted of concealment of the birth.

 

In May Comber Gas-Light Company were seeking tenders for the erection of a gasworks in Comber. On 2nd November Guy Stone records that the tank was completed and the chimney nearly built.

 

In July, the Rev John Orr of Comber was unanimously elected Moderator of the Non-Subscribing Church.

 

Work commenced on the new line of railway from Comber towards Ballynahinch/Downpatrick. This included the blasting of rock cuttings through the Gullet just south of Comber. But towards the end of July a number of navvies went on strike for higher wages and a shorter day. The strike commenced at the Comber end. A body of these navvies proceeded along the line to Saintfield compelling the gangs at work on the line to join them. They assembled opposite the residence of the contractor Mr Moore at Saintfield. The leader, a man named Blain, was arrested and lodged in Downpatrick Gaol. The men then returned to work.

 

Rev Jex-Blake made a return visit to Comber, and took the service in St Mary's on 3rd August in Mr Crommelin's absence. It was a sad year for Rev Crommelin whose wife Matilda died on October 31st, from complications following the birth of a daughter.

 

John Miller was now in sole ownership of Comber Distilleries, John Cairns having died.

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1857

John Andrews had the honour of being appointed High Sheriff for County Down for the ensuing year.

 

On Monday 12th January Guy Stone took his son Sam into Comber to see the shops lit with gas, which they were for the first time on the Saturday just past. On 19th March they viewed the gas lamps which had been lit for the first time on the 14th. Guy commented that they were certainly an improvement, but not enough of them. The newly-formed Comber Gaslight Company were advertising for a competent man to take charge of the gasworks at 12 shillings per week.

 

On 14th January a robbery was committed at the house of Mr McBriney, draper, in Comber. The robbers were never caught, but a large quantity of haberdashery was found in the Castlereagh area concealed in a heap of manure! Mr McBriney identified the missing articles.

 

A ploughing match was held in February in a field near the railway station belonging to George McMorran. There were nine ploughs in the competition, which was limited to County Down and the winner was Wm John Gray of Bangor.

 

The foundation stone of Scrabo Tower was laid on 28th February on the top of Scrabo Hill. This was to be a memorial to the 3rd Marquis of Londonderry who had died in 1854. A marquee had been erected near the site, along with a flagstaff and platform surrounding two sides of the foundation of the intended monument.

 

"Shortly after two o’clock the Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry, with a large party from Mountstewart, arrived at the base of the highest point of the hill. His Lordship was in uniform as colonel of the Royal North Down Rifles, and wore the order of the Knight of St Patrick, with which he was recently invested by the Lord Lieutenant. A procession was formed, and the distinguished party moved up the hill, headed by Willie Duncan, his Lordship’s Highland piper, playing a gathering".

 

Following speeches by Mr Sharman Crawford, chairman of the Building Committee, and Sir Robert Bateson, an acquaintance of the late Marquess, the Bishop of Down blessed the undertaking. At this point a large sealed glass jar was handed to Sir Robert and a list of its contents read out. These included an inscribed scroll to the late Marquess, copies of national and local newspapers of the day, coins of the realm, and an Ordnance Survey map of County Down. There was also a list of the 600 subscribers, most of them tenants of the late Marquess, but including 130 not connected with the estate. At the head of these was the name of Napoleon III, Emperor of France! Sir Robert placed the jar in a specially prepared cavity, and laid the foundation stone with the help of Charles Lanyon, the architect. The Union Jack was then hoisted from a flagstaff on the summit of the hill, and this was the signal for a "feu de Joie" to be fired from a battery of guns placed in North Street, Newtownards, followed by firing at minute intervals over the next hour.

 

Lanyon's plan had been chosen by the building committee following a competition, even though it only came third. Money was obviously a consideration, and the final cost was £3,010. By October it had risen to 70 feet high. When finished, the tower stood at a height of 135 feet, and today it one of the most impressive features of the North Down landscape.

 

There were festivities in March at Ballydrain when over 400 attended to express good feelings to Messrs Murland of Castlewellan who had recently purchased a considerable property in that locality.

 

North Down Cricket Club was founded by two Inland Revenue men called Braithwaite and Knowles. Robert Braithwaite was the first captain from 1857 until 1861. They played at “The Lines”, which was a meadow across the river from where the present ground is situated.

 

Guy Stone's residence at Barnhill was broken into on the 3rd July. The robbers succeeded in entering a room on the ground floor, but all that was taken was a small tin box containing some title-deeds and law papers, which were found early in the morning in a shrubbery. The padlock was torn off the box, but the papers were all safe inside. They also helped themselves to six bottles of wine.

 

Construction was well under way on the new railway line from Comber to Downpatrick, with heavy rock cuttings having to be made through the Gullet south of Comber. But in July there was a serious accident when a young man named Matthew Anderson was badly injured when he was struck by wagons laden with earth, coming down an incline about a mile from Comber. He had to have his leg amputated.

 

On the Twelfth of July ten cars full of Orangemen from Newtownards made their way over to Comber, and after initially proceeding to Kenneth Mawhinney's at Island Hill, came on to Comber, and paraded to the sound of fife and drum. They then went to Dundonald. The police took a note of every person's name and they were ordered to appear at Downpatrick Assizes, parades being illegal at this time.

 

In August William Drennan Andrews married Eliza, daughter of John Galloway, in Monkstown, Dublin.

 

7th October had been proclaimed as a Fast Day on account of the war in India. A collection was taken up at St Mary's for Indian Relief.

 

Comber Post Office moved on 30th October to Shean's new shop, previously Barry's public house.

1858

A bad start to the New Year with a man killed in Comber Distillery, in an accident involving some machinery.

 

William Sturgeon, formerly teacher of the National School, Comber, and now a student of the Presbyterian College, brought charges against the Rev James M Killen of Comber, George McMorran and William McKee, for assault and forcible ejection from a soiree held in the schoolhouse in October 1857. The case was heard on 16th March, when Rev Killen was exonerated, but Sturgeon was awarded £19 damages against the other two defendants in connection with the assault.

 

Scrabo Tower was still in the process of erection, and by May had reached the height of 86 feet. By October it had grown another 60 feet and they were putting on the roof.

 

The Belfast and County Down Railway extension line to Ballynahinch opened on 10th September. A new station had been constructed at Comber, with sidings and lines to facilitate three trains at a time. The new Station House was used for the first time on 30th August, when the old entrance was closed up and passengers had to access it by going under the bridge. The old Comber Station was rebuilt at Ballynahinch Junction.

 

In September a complimentary dinner was given in Mrs Barry's Hotel by a number of Masonic brethren, to Mr William E Sharman, divisional officer of Excise, previous to his removal to Tullamore. Mr Napier, Master of Lodge No 46, occupied the chair.

 

By October 1858 William Glenny Andrews had started a sewed muslin business in Comber under the firm of W.G. Andrews & Co. It was under the management of John Reid, the girls being employed to do the work in their own houses. However, the venture was a failure and ended on 1st February 1860.

 

The death occurred on 9th December of William Milligan, formerly of the 74th Highlanders, in which regiment he had served in the Peninsular War. His medals came into the possession of Guy Stone of Barnhill.

 

Charles Andrews became a Queen’s Counsellor (QC).

 

Bronze Age burial urns were found in what is now Enler Car Park.

1859

This was the year of the Great Religious Revival in the North of Ireland, and Comber was much affected. Much of the action took place at First Comber, and Rev Killen gives us an account of what happened:

 

"The first time that I noticed the congregation generally and visibly affected was on the 15th of May last, which was our preparation Sabbath. On that day I preached from Rev. xxii 17, and had not discoursed more than about twenty minutes, when nearly the whole audience seemed melted under the power of the Word.... and I found difficulty for a moment or two in proceeding with the service. The people, however, recovered themselves, and our communion season passed over without anything very noticeable save a larger attendance and greater solemnity than formerly.On Monday evening, the 30th of May, we had a very crowded meeting in our church, which was addressed by converts from Ahoghill, and to the services of that night many trace their first religious impressions."

 

Rev Killen spent the next week in Ballymena, and on his return addressed his congregation on Sunday requesting them to meet the following evening to pray for an outpouring of the Spirit. On that occasion the church was packed, and a further meeting was arranged for Thursday 9th June.

 

"....it was at this meeting that the first cases of physical manifestation occurred. One young woman fell with a tremendous crash on the floor, two others had to be removed, many were affected, all were roused, and it was now evident that the work had fairly begun. The following Sabbath we had more cases and an immense audience."

 

Monday 13th June was memorable:

 

"On that evening the Spirit came down on our assembled congregation with mighty power. Thirty-two “stricken ones” had to be removed to the schoolroom. Many other cases followed. The whole town was roused. Many did not get to bed that night at all; and for several days great numbers were unable to follow their usual avocations, but gave themselves almost unceasingly to the study of the Scriptures, singing, and prayer, and for the next month, with three exceptions, I did not get to bed till morning, such was the anxiety of the people for pastoral instruction and consolation. For twenty-one days after the revival commenced, we had, on average, more than ten cases daily, and altogether we have now upwards of 340 cases of visible awakening in connection with our congregation, not to speak of those far more numerous instances of a quiet and silent character, of which no proper estimate can yet be formed..."

 

By October the public physical manifestations had largely abated, but the work was undoubtedly still progressing:

 

Our Sabbath school has been doubled. Our Sabbath attendance never was at all so large. Our annual collection for the Assembly’s Roman Catholic Mission, which has just been taken up, is nearly treble that of former years....

 

170 persons were in Rev Killen’s communicants’ class compared with the usual 30 or 40, while three church services were held in midweek, as well as meetings for doctrinal instruction and prayer for the converts. Indeed prayer meetings were held almost every evening in the various districts of the congregation.

 

"The revival has embraced those hitherto beyond the pale of the Church altogether, and drunkards have been reformed, prostitutes reclaimed, thieves have become honest, Sabbath-breakers, profane swearers, scoffers, neglecters of ordinances, and worthless characters of all descriptions have been awakened or converted. No sex or age has been exempt. Our converts include children of seven, and old men and women of upwards of seventy years of age."

 

It was said that public houses in the town were nearly empty. And one woman, who was partially blind, is said to have had her sight completely restored.

 

But it was not only First Comber which was visited by the Revival. There was also activity among the Methodists and at Second Comber where a Mr McQuilkan from Connor delivered a powerful address on 19th June. Rev Rogers conducted weekly Revival meetings at Second Comber, and presided at a great Revival meeting held on 30th June in a field on the Newtownards Road. The attendance was estimated at 4,000-6,000 people. Several cases of awakening were reported at a meeting in Second Comber on 26th July.

 

Unfortunately, it was all too much for one unfortunate lady called Elizabeth Munn, aged 57, who became "suddenly affected" while attending a prayer meeting at First Comber, giving a loud groan and dying. She was apparently subject to weak turns, and the verdict at an inquest was that she died from an apoplectic seizure brought on by excitement. One juror rather unkindly commented that "she died from the visitation of God".

 

In the midst of all this, Rev John Rogers of Second Comber was nominated by several Presbyteries for the position of Moderator of the General Assembly. However, he lost out on the vote in July to Professor Gibson of Assembly's College.

 

On a more mundane level, the Unitarian manse was built, the contractor being James Bell, a member of the congregation. It cost £430. When fireplaces and grates were installed and the walls plastered and papered, this rose to £559. The cost was borne largely by the Andrews family and John Miller.

 

It was a bad year for the Stone family of Barnhill. 1st March saw the death of Guy Stone's daughter Catherine (Kitty), while on 29th May his aunt Anne passed away in her 84th year. Anne was the daughter of Rev Guy Stone, a former incumbent of St Mary's.

 

The first public train ran to Downpatrick on 28th March, although there had been a special limited service from 23rd March for the Assizes.

 

In April the teachers of First Comber Sabbath-school presented William Erskine with a family Bible, on the occasion of his leaving to take charge of Townsend Street School, Belfast. The pupils of the day-school presented him with a gold pencil-case.

 

Robert Wilson, a youth of seventeen, was sentenced to six years' penal servitude for committing a burglary at the house of John Ward, near Comber, on 15th April. This was the last of a series of offences.

 

On 22nd April, Guy Stone reported that Scrabo Tower was almost completed, wanting only one little turret, but a great deal needed to be done inside.

 

Mr Birch of Ballybeen House dropped dead on 15th August. He had long been in delicate health.

 

In November Thomas Burns, servant to the Rev Mr McCaw of Killinchy, was killed at Comber station. It appears that he trespassed on the line to examine an engine which was shunting wagons, and was about to return to his cart when, passing between the buffer of the engine and the wagon, he was crushed.

 

The death occurred on November 20 of Robert Boyd of Ballywilliam, aged 67 years. Guy Stone tells us he had lately taken to intemperate drinking.

Comber through the Ages

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