
COMBER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
1860
Owing to the increasing flour trade, more and more wheat was being imported by the Andrews family. Storage had become a problem, and because stores rented in Belfast were too costly, it was decided to build one in Comber. Plans were obtained of a store recently erected for the Inver Mills at Larne by an old school friend of the Andrews brothers called James Macauley. William Glenny Andrews adapted these for the Comber firm and personally supervised the building work. The inscription on the foundation stone read, “This grain store was built by John Andrews, William G. Andrews, Isaac Andrews, James Andrews; Foundation stone laid the second day of May, 1860. J. Andrews & Sons, Comber”. The building was in the area of the present Leisure Centre. It was a plain brick structure, 86’ long and 36’ broad, consisting of 6 floors and was not completed until December 1863, having been built by local talent and costing £1,750.
Francis Ritchie and John Cairns were ordained as elders in Second Comber on 17th June.
Comber True Blues (LOL 1035) may have come to Comber sometime between 1819 and 1823. But the present warrant dates from 11th August 1860 and was re-issued in 1867 to Patrick Ward of Mill Street. At this time the lodge met in Paddy Ward’s loft in Mill Street. One of the Comber Volunteer Companies of 1779 was called Comber True Blues, and there may be some connection.
Guy Stone's daughter Mary married James Campbell on 4th September. James was the son of William Campbell, who owned the Nursery at Nurseryville.
A new manse was erected behind Second Comber Church. Plans had been drawn up by the firm of Robert Young of Belfast, while the builders were Messrs Gray & Dunn. A ceremony took place on 12th September when the topstone was put in place. Rev Rogers was in charge of proceedings, but the actual laying of the stone was performed by Thomas Strean from Newtownards, who was presented with a silver trowel for the purpose. This was inscribed - "Presented to Thomas Strean Esq., Newtownards, by the 2nd Presbyterian Congregation of Comber, on the occasion of his laying the top-stone of their Manse September 1860". An excellent dinner was provided in Mr Milling's Hotel for a number of those who attended the ceremony.
September 17th- death of Alexander Montgomery, solicitor, at Mossbank, Comber.
Gas lighting was installed in St Mary's and was switched on for the first time on November 18th.
1861
On 19th January, J Minnis and W J McDonald, assistant teachers in the National School attached to First Comber, made a presentation to Henry Fletcher, formerly their headmaster, following his move to Moneyrea National School. The presentation consisted of a mahogany writing-desk and silver pen and pencil-case. Mr Fletcher had only taught in Comber for a year and five months, so he must have made quite an impression.
Following the severity of a harsh winter, a committee was appointed to raise subscriptions for the relief and comfort of the destitute. Approximately £28 was raised, principally by the inhabitants of the town. A donation of £15 was also received from the Marquis of Londonderry. The money was mainly spent on the purchase of blankets and coal.
On Monday 3rd June the first trains travelled on the extension of the Belfast and County Down Railway to Donaghadee. It is agreed that a double line is necessary between Belfast and Comber. However, there are no funds in the coffers for this work to be done.
An inquest was held on 26th June on the body of an infant found dead at Cattogs behind the house of a man named Adair. Adair's servant, named Mary Jane Harris, was committed to prison on a charge of concealing the birth. It was believed she had killed the child and buried it.
An elderly Comber lady called Elizabeth Young was found guilty of embezzling money entrusted to her by William Gibson for paying into the Holywood Loan Fund.
A number of men were convicted of taking part in an illegal Orange procession on the Twelfth July. The procession began at a house on Cow lane from which a crimson flag was lowered. About twenty men came out of neighbouring houses, and, accompanied by fife and drum, marched after the flag. Some wore orange scarfs. About a mile and a half out the road, some of the men got on cars which drove on, while others returned to Comber. Prison sentences for one month each were handed out.
It was in 1861 that Goldsprings of Comber (LOL 1037) got their first warrant. There were originally 10 members and the first Worshipful Master was Thomas Drennan. By 1868 the membership was 44 and the lodge met in John Young’s of Bridge Street. For some reason another warrant was issued in 1875 to Alexander Bell, and another in 1893 to Andrew Dickson. The Goldsprings had a very large banner bearing the portrait of Oliver Cromwell. The present banner features Comber Square.
A new school opened in Comber, in connection with Second Comber Presbyterian. The contract for its erection had been awarded to William John Lindsay at the cost of £150. The first teacher was Mr Adam Speers. Money was badly needed, both for the schoolhouse and the manse. Much of this came from the congregation and special fundraising sermons, some from Rev Rogers who travelled around collecting not only in Ireland, but in England and Scotland as well. But £700 was contributed by John Smyth of New Comber House, a man who suffered from blindness, of which £100 was for the schoolhouse. Because of his generosity the new school was named Smyth's Schoolhouse and a marble tablet was erected inside. The tablet read: "For his Munificent Contributions amounting to £700, to the Church Manse and School Funds, of the Second Presbyterian Congregation of Comber, the Session and Committee have erected this tablet to John Smyth Esq. of New Comber House, as a tribute of gratitude for his liberality and respect for his character and have agreed to call this Building to which he contributed a sum of £100, Smyth's School House. June 1861".
In October there was news of the invention of a field or road locomotive by Mr Simonton of Ballystockart.
1862
A new road was opened in February joining Saintfield Road to Glen Road. This was what became known as Railway Street.
In March George Allen of Unicarval was advertising the letting of a Tannery, with large dwelling house attached. This was presumably the Tannery which once occupied the site of Horner's pharmacy in The Square.
The death occurred on 16th June of Guy Stone JP, a gentleman farmer who lived at Barnhill, and who kept a diary during the 1830s and from 1852 until shortly before his death. Among other things, he was Chairman of the Belfast and County Down Railway, a magistrate, a member of the Newtownards Board of Guardians, and treasurer of the Chemico-Agricultural Society. He was an accomplished scholar, and highly distinguished for his classical attainments. The study of geology also occupied his attention, and he took an active part in the proceedings of the British Association. Mr Stone was only 54 years of age.
Another death was that of Rev Robert Ferrier Jex-Blake, aged 73, in his native Norfolk on 26th June. He had been rector of St Mary's in Comber from 1831 to 1851.
In July the Remonstrant Synod of Ulster held its annual meeting in Comber Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church. Rev John McFadden of Ballymoney was elected as the new Moderator.
Isaac Andrews married Jane Boomer (nee Quinn) in London on 4th September. This was the second marriage for both bride and groom. The marriage was childless.
Rev JM Killen of First Comber published a book entitled "Our Companions in Glory; or Society in Heaven Contemplated". This was Dr Killen's second major religious work, following "Our Friends in Heaven" of a few years earlier.
On Christmas night fire badly damaged the thatched dwelling-house of Mr John Larmour, a small time farmer at Ballydrain. The flames spread rapidly, destroying the timber of the roof, and nearly all the furniture. A large number of people in the neighbourhood did all they could to extinguish the flames with buckets of water. The fire was accidental, a spark from an adjoining chimney having caught on the thatch.
1863
On 10th March Comber celebrated the marriage of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) to Princess Alexandra of Denmark. The church bells rang both morning and evening, and in the evening crowds gathered in the Square. Tar barrels were burned, accompanied by the discharge of fireworks and also of firearms, while balloons were released. Several houses were gaily illuminated, and tar barrels burned on the hills around the town.
James Andrews married his cousin, Mary Catherine, daughter of Robert Andrews in Dublin on 21st March. After the marriage he commenced building Carnesure House as a home for his bride. Henry Smyth of Downpatrick, who designed the family tomb, was employed as architect, but the actual building was done by direct labour under the control of James himself.
Another wedding took place on April 12, this time in St Mary's Parish Church, when Arthur Hughes De Wind, originally from Singapore, married Margaret Jane, daughter of the late Guy Stone of Barnhill.
At the meeting of the Presbyterian General Assembly in July, Rev John Rogers of Second Comber was elected as Moderator for the coming year.
Thomas McCracken, of Ballyrickard, was presented with a silver salver and gold watch in acknowledgement of his gratuitous services for many years to the farmers around Newtownards and Comber in curing the diseases of their cattle and horses.
On 13th August, a lecture was delivered by Mr Pyper, agent of the Irish Temperance League, in Smyth's school-room at Second Comber, on the subject of total abstinence. At the close a great many enrolled their names as members of the Comber Temperance Society.
An exhibition of plants, fruits, flowers and vegetables was held in September by Comber Juvenile Horticultural Society in the schoolroom, Comber Square. This had been tastefully decorated by the children of the different schools.
On 25th September Thomas McBurney’s flax scutch mill at Ballyhenry, together with twenty-eight stacks of unscutched flax, were destroyed by fire, accidentally caused by one of the workmen. The property lost to Mr McBurney and various other farmers amounted to over £3,000.
On 13th October a complimentary supper was held in Jeffrey's Hotel for Robert Withers, chief bookkeeper for many years for the Andrews' firm. He was leaving Comber for Belfast, having been appointed traveller for the firm of Messrs Dunville & Co.
The death occurred on November 2nd of Agnes Miller (nee Pirrie), wife of John Miller, distiller, aged 46 years.
A literary institution and reading-room were established in Comber, following a preliminary meeting on 20th November.
The new company of John Andrews & Sons was formed, the partners being John and three of his sons - James, John and Thomas. In December they gave a dinner to some 96 workmen employed in the erection of their new spinning mill. The dinner was held in the drying loft of the new building, which was described as being constructed of Scrabo freestone, and intended to give accommodation to 8,000 spindles. John Andrews' son Thomas had personally superintended the work.
Also in December, work on the six-floor high grain store (commenced in 1860) was completed at a cost of £1,750.
In 1863 the burying ground at Comber Non Subscribing Presbyterian Church was consecrated and a harmonium procured. Previously singing had been conducted by a precentor. John Montgomery played the instrument until his marriage in 1871, when Miss Fanny Andrews and Miss Nancie Orr took over.
Comber's Roman Catholics were recorded as worshipping at the rear of a house in Lower Crescent, which later became a blacksmith’s shop. Father Close, parish priest of Newtownards (1857-64) officiated at the Mass.
1864
On 18th February the engine of a goods train ran off the rails at the points at Comber Station. The engine and several wagons were damaged, but no-one was seriously injured.
Many new members enrolled in Comber Band of Hope following a lecture of Temperance in April by Rev Shanks, Boardmills, in the schoolroom of First Comber.
Finance was a problem at the Unitarian Church, with income not even meeting the minister’s salary. In an attempt to remedy the situation, it was decided to replace the collection box in the vestibule and take up the offering in the pews using long-handled collecting boxes.
John Andrews JP died on 13th May, after a lingering illness. Among other things, he had been agent of the Londonderry Estate since 1828. Following his death, he brother Isaac was asked to fill the vacant magistrate slot. But Isaac refused, pleading pressure of work and insisting that it should have been offered to his elder brother, William Glenny. Six years later the honour was accepted by Isaac’s nephew, James of Carnesure.
The death of John Andrews was marked by a beautiful Illuminated Address presented to his widow by the tenantry of the Londonderry Estate on 24th October.
John never saw his dream fulfilled of the opening of the Flax Spinning Mill on the Ballygowan Road. Plans had been drawn up by James Combe & Co of the Falls Foundry, Belfast, who also supplied the machinery, but the engine and boiler were supplied by Victor Coates of the Lagan Foundry. Spinning began in June, just a few weeks after John's death. The firm was known as John Andrews & Co, and was run by three of his sons - James, John and Thomas.
Comber Industrial Co-operative Society opened its store on 18th May. The manager was James McKeown. And they celebrated the occasion by holding a soiree in Henry Riddle's Barn on 23rd May. However the Society turned out to be a failure and collapsed after a few months.
John Robinson, a plasterer, died on 20th May from injuries received when his arm had been caught in machinery at Comber Distillery. And on 28th December an 11-year-old boy named William McClune also lost his life in the distillery after falling in to the place where the potale was kept.
Rather unusually, Rev John Rogers of Second Comber was re-elected for a second term as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, at its annual meeting in July.
On 7th July the citizens of Comber were treated to the spectacular sight of a large air balloon passing overhead. One hundred feet in height and announced as the largest in the world, Mr Coxwell, the celebrated aeronaut, started his ascent in the "Britannia" from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Belfast and followed the track of the Railway into the County Down countryside.
On that same evening there were great rejoicings in the townlands of Castle Espie and Tullynakill, which had been purchased by Robert Murland of Castlewellan, whose father, Samuel Murland owned the adjoining estate, known as the Seven Townlands, or the Ardmillan Estate. On all the hills round about tar-barrels were blazing, and large numbers of the tenantry who had congregated kept up a continual firing of guns. Sky-rockets were set off at intervals. Plenty of good strong ale was distributed to every one present, and “The Health of Robert Murland Esq” was drunk with great enthusiasm. Mr Murland intended to re-open the Castle Espie limestone quarries.
On 17th September Comber Juvenile Horticultural Society held their annual show in Erasmus Smith's Schoolhouse in the Square. There were 313 entries. The fruit, flowers and vegetables were laid out with great taste in their several sections by Mr Skilling, secretary to the society, and Mr Smith, gardener to John Miller. A variety of plants and rare exotics were exhibited by John Miller, Isaac Andrews, Mr Braithwaite and Mr Skilling.
A presentation was made in October by the assistant teachers and scholars of Smyth's National School to Adam Speers, who received an elegant writing-desk and a silver pencil case, as a token of their esteem for him. Mr Speers had been teacher at Comber for three years and was leaving to become principal of Sullivan's National Schools, Holywood.
There was a proposal in October to construct a railway line linking Comber to Greyabbey, across land reclaimed in Strangford Lough. One correspondent to the Downpatrick Recorder thought a better idea would be to drain the whole of Strangford Lough, and then any number of railway connections could be made.
1865
The Illuminated Address of Condolence from the tenantry on Lord Londonderry’s estate was presented to the widow of the late John Andrews in January. It was illuminated and bound by Marcus Ward & Co. Illustrations included a general view of Comber, the Market Square, the residence of the late Mr Andrews at Uraghmore, as well as that of his father at the Old House, First Comber and the Unitarian meeting-houses, and the recently-erected Spinning Mill.
Also in January, several passengers were injured when a train from Donaghadee crashed into carriages sitting at Comber Station.
Robert Andrews died on 20th February, aged 62. He was a brother of the late John Andrews, and was a lawyer who lived in Dublin.
The Andrews family tried to institute safety measures in the Spinning Mill, but if there was an injury the tendency was to blame the poor victim. On 8 March it was stated that “yesterday a doffer in the mill lost a finger in the fencing of a spinning frame which was properly fenced. By her own neglect and through forgetfulness she allowed her hand to get too close to the fencing”.
In April, tenders were invited for building the lime kilns at Castle Espie. Land was reclaimed by construction of a massive sea wall. A pier and two lime-burning kilns were constructed.
In May Samuel Thompson was appointed manager of the Comber Branch of the Northern Bank. He had previously worked for the bank in Clones.
May also saw the end of the proposed railway from Comber to Greyabbey when the Bill was thrown out by a Committee of the House of Commons.
LOL 567, along with LOL 244, celebrated the Twelfth with supper in the Orange Hall (location unknown). Hugh Connor, Worshipful Master of LOL 567 for 32 years, was presented with a silver watch and chain.
In August Rev JM Killen of First Comber was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity by Lafayette College, Philadelphia, one of the oldest and most respectable seminaries in the United States.
Comber Horticultural Society held its first annual show on 22nd September in the Market Place. The weather was excellent for the occasion, which brought out large crowds, and the show was judged to be a tremendous success. Dicksons of Newtownards sent several items for exhibition only, while a beautiful device in cut flowers was exhibited by Mr Smith, gardener to John Miller. This device had gained first prize at Newtownards Show the previous week. But in this case first prize was awarded to Miss Gillan, of Comber. Miss Ritchie sent in flowers made of cut paper. There was a good show of flax, potatoes, turnips, parsnips, carrots, oats, beans, butter etc. Miss Andrews was most successful in the juvenile class. The band of the Antrim Rifles from Belfast performed in the grounds during the day. At three o'clock the committee entertained the judges and other gentlemen to a sumptuous dinner in Milling's Hotel, which also staged a grand ball in the evening.
A deputation arrived at Second Comber manse on October 3rd with an Address and Presentation to Rev Rogers following his two years in office as Moderator of the General Assembly. A gift of £400 had been subscribed.
In October tenders were invited for the erection of a wooden shed, with slated roof, in the Market Square. This became a Market House, situated just beside Gillespie's Monument, and a new market commenced in the Square on 31st October. The attendance was unexpectedly large, and prices obtained gave general satisfaction.
The death occurred on December 17th of Sarah Jane, wife of Rev John Orr of Comber Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church. She was only 42 years old.
1866
John Simonton took over Nurseryville from William Campbell.
Rev John Orr of Comber Non-Subscribing Church was appointed Professor of Church History, Pastoral Theology, and Moral Philosophy in January.
John Miller was appointed a Justice of the Peace, and a meeting was held on 15th February when an Address was presented to him on achieving that honour.
Thomas McConnell, aged 17, was found guilty in March of stealing a coat which had been placed on a hedge by a man who was ploughing. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Rinderpest, a cattle disease, made its appearance in May. Considerable alarm was caused by the death of several heifers belonging to James Jameson of Ballyrussell. The police were informed, and arrived on the scene to guard the field. One of the dead animals was examined by a vet who declared that it was not rinderpest. However, other cases were reported nearby in Ballymeglaff and on the farm of Mr McKibben at Ballyrussell. John Miller ordered the dead animals at Ballymeglaff to be buried immediately, and disinfectant thrown into the graves. Rinderpest was confirmed in Mr McKibben's heifer and subsequently in another of his animals. The police continued to guard the infected districts, eliciting complaints from the farming community. It was 21 days before the police cordon was removed.
Two miles of railway line between Dundonald and Comber were relaid during the course of the year.
Comber Horticultural Society held their annual show on 30th August at the Fair-green in front of the Market House. The show was adjudged a success, despite the absence of many exhibitors. A large canvas tent was erected for the display of flowers, while the Market House itself housed the display of agricultural produce. Many of the prizes were won by Isaac Andrews and John Miller. Messrs Lindsay of Killyleagh showed a magnificent stand of fifty dahlias for exhibition only. There were also displays of paper flowers and an 8 foot high tobacco plant. There were very good diplays of fruit and vegetables and farm produce, with flax getting a special mention. Throughout the day, selections of music were played by the band of the Antrim Rifles and the band of the Lunatic Asylum.
On 7th September the employees of John Andrews & Co held their annual excursion to Portavo, kindly granted for the occasion by DS Ker MP. The workers assembled in the mill yard and walked in procession to the railway station, headed by the band of the Antrim Rifles. At Portavo, there was food, dancing and many other amusements.
In October Masonic Lodge 46 met in Jeffery’s Hotel to bid farewell to Thomas Robinson, who was moving to Banbridge. He had been secretary of the lodge.
Susanna Collins was arrested on 17th November on a charge of concealing the birth of her child. Constable Parker found the dead body of a female child buried in a flower-bed at her house. John Miller committed the supposed mother to Downpatrick Jail for trial at the next Assizes where she was given six months in prison for concealment of birth.
1867
On 17th January, at a soiree held in the Non-Subscribing Church, an address and testimonial were presented to John Montgomery for his services as conductor of the instrumental part of the psalmody of the congregation. And another choirmaster, Mr WD Watt of First Comber, was also honoured in the same manner in June.
In March was given George Scroggy was given twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour for stealing six lambs, the property of Mr William Hume of Comber.
John Miller was the victim of an assault on 6th April. He observed two men beating up a drunk on the street in Comber, and when he intervened the men (Edward Tierney senior and Edward Tierney junior) turned on him. He was confined to his room for several days by his injuries.
Thomas Andrews set up an evening school at the Spinning Mill for any of his young workers wishing to improve their education. This continued until 1878 by which time a day school was flourishing.
Robert Murland developed the quarries at Castle Espie on a large scale for the production of lime for agricultural purposes. He constructed a massive sea wall and pier, which carried a narrow gauge railway. In 1866 work had begun on the installation of 24 German Hoffman kilns to handle the limestone and clay for brick production. 1¼ million bricks were brought across Strangford Lough from Kircubbin to build the kilns and boiler house, which had a 173 foot high chimney. The kilns were officially opened on 18th March. The first fire was lit by Mrs Thomson, wife of Professor James Thomson of Queen’s College, Belfast. But in December Robert Murland died, and his father Samuel took over the enterprise.
On 13th May Martha Kirk had her legs broken after coming in contact with the rollers of a machine in Ballyhenry Flax Mill. She died later in hospital.
On 12th July William Johnston of Ballykilbeg organised an illegal parade in defiance of the Party Processions Act, from Newtownards to Bangor and back. Robert Steel and William Woods of Comber was among a number of Orangemen charge with unlawful assembly in Newtownards, parading to music with banners and symbols calculated to arouse animosity. Sub-Constable Mooney testified to seeing Woods carrying the Comber flag, described as remarkable, being very large and coloured white and blue with an orange fringe (Comber White Flag LOL 244?)
Comber Horticultural Society's annual show was held on 29th August in marquees erected on the Market-house Grounds. A clash of dates with the Downpatrick Show kept the number of visitors down, but the attendance was still described as large, and was swelled by workers from the Andrews Spinning Mill, who had been given a holiday for the occasion. The show was a success, with fruit and cut flowers earning special praise. Mention was made of a horticultural device in cut flowers of the British coat of arms, made by Mr Smith, gardener to John Miller, while Miss McDonald of Comber exhibited a beautiful bouquet of artificial paper flowers. The bands of the Royal Antrim Rifles and Belfast Lunatic Asylum played appropriate music.
Comber Rabbit and Poultry Society held their first Show on 21st September. There was a large turnout of bantams, silver-spangled Hamburgs, canaries, and other fowls. The rabbits exhibited were of a superior class, and commanded the high admiration of the judges.
A 17-year-old-boy called James Cairns Crea, only son of the late George Crea of Maxwell Court, died in December following a shooting accident near Downpatrick.
The Andrews Mausoleum was erected by William Glenny Andrews in St Mary's Churchyard. There are no burials inside. The names of those buried in the vault beneath are listed on the sides of the Mausoleum.
1868
On 1st March Mary, widow of James Campbell and daughter of the late Guy Stone, was married in St Mary's to Watson Fry, Assistant-Surgeon in the Indian Army. Another of Guy Stone's daughters married in Bray in August - Frances, to John McConnell, also from Comber.
An inquest was held on 24th March on the body of a respectable farmer named James Johnston, aged 65 years, who committed suicide on by hanging himself in his own barn.
In April tenders were being sought from builders for the erection of a new Roman Catholic Church at Comber. And on 23rd October the foundation stone was laid by the Most Rev Dr Dorrian, Bishop of Down and Connor. The church was in Killinchy Street, close to the Market House which was being used as a temporary chapel. Much credit was ascribed to Father McConvey, Parish Priest of Newtownards, for taking this work in hand. A bottle was deposited in the stone containing some medals, coins, a copy of the Ulster Examiner, and a scroll.
Orangemen in large numbers took to the streets with fifes and drums on an evening in late April to celebrate the release of Mr Johnston of Ballykilbeg from prison. Fireworks were let off, and the surrounding hills were lit up with tar-barrels.
On 5th May a quarryman named William Patterson was killed at Castle Espie Lime Works. He had been trying to set a charge which exploded prematurely.
On 12th August Rev WD Crommelin, rector of Comber for 17 years, was presented with an Address and gift on the occasion of his leaving the parish to reside in England. He was succeeded by George Smith, who was appointed in October.
The fourth show of Comber Horticultural Society, held at the end of August, was unfortunately a washout. For the first time it was held on the Andrews Bleach Green where a large marquee had been erected. The farm produce was exhibited on the outside of the marquee, whilst the flowers and garden produce were arranged in the interior. The band of the Antrim Rifles were in attendance, as was that of the Belfast District Hospital for the Insane. Main prizewinners were Mr Isaac Andrews and Mr Cleland of Vianstown.
Margaret Rebecca, wife of the Rev Dr Killen of Comber, died at the Manse on September 9th, at the age of 43. aged forty-three years. Her remains will be removed from Comber on Saturday morning at eleven o'clock.
The employees of the Andrews Spinning Mill were conveyed to Scrabo by special train for their annual excursion in September. Food and amusements were the order of the day. The workers were accompanied by the band of the Antrim Rifles.
Also in September, a concert was held in Mr Robinson's store at Drumhirk to raise money for alterations and repairs to Drumhirk National School.
In November a train came off the lines when approaching Comber Station. No-one was hurt.
On 24th December Mr Milmine of the Inland Revenue was presented with a valuable gold watch, chain and timepiece, on the occasion of his promotion to the rank of supervisor.
1869
There was a serious accident in the Andrews Spinning Mill when Eliza Gabbey had her hand caught in the draft gearing of a spinning frame. This resulted in the amputation of her hand.
The fourth annual ploughing match in connection with the Newtownards Agricultural Society took place in January at Bootown Farm, the property of James Colvil, between Comber and Newtownards. Forty-three ploughs took part and the winner was a Mr John Stewart.
On 26th January the Rev Wesley Guard delivered an address in the Methodist Chapel on “Heroes, and how to become one”. The chapel was crowded, almost all the leading families in the district being present.
The following evening, 27th January, the congregation of First Comber presented the Rev JM Killen with an address and testimonial, consisting of a purse of sovereigns. Public testimony was borne to the efficiency with which Dr Killen had discharged his duties for over a quarter of a century, to his eminent scholarship, and to his sympathy for the sick and afflicted.
Presbyterians were meeting to discuss the Church Bill which was in the process of going though Parliament. The general complaint, echoed by Comber Presbytery, was that the Presbyterian Church was not being dealt with as liberally as the Episcopal Church, and was therefore unsatisfactory.
William Sturgeon, the Presbyterian minister of 2nd Dunboe, previously a schoolmaster at First Comber National School, was claiming money from the estate of the late James Robinson of Comber, alleged to have been due to his wife.
A new schoolhouse was erected at 1st Comber at right angles to the existing school. It was divided into two rooms by glass panelled partitions, movable for concerts and social functions. A stone panel at ground level records that the school was erected when Rev Killen was minister.
In June Rev Rogers of Second Comber was appointed as successor to Dr Cooke in the Chair of Sacred Rhetoric at Assemblys College. Because of this he was required to resign from Second Comber, but by the end of the year had not done so.
Mr Watt, of First Comber National School, was appointed headmaster of Newry Model School.
The Road Sessions for the Barony of Lower Castlereagh were moved from Comber to Newtownards because the Market House building in Comber was unfit for the purpose of the Sessions, the floors and rafters being rotten. And there were no seats either for professional men or the public.
Mary Ann Andrews was born on 29th July, the daughter of John and Ann Andrews.
A number of the Sunday schools connected with the Non-subscribing Association held an excursion to Scrabo in August. The children were entertained with buns, sandwiches, lemonade, and fruit, and with a variety of games.
The Commissioners of National Education awarded their annual district prize for order, neatness, cleanliness, and efficiency to Josias Leetch, the teacher of Smyth's National School, Comber.
The annual show of Comber Horticultural Society took place on 27th August at the Andrews bleach-green. The display of fruit was described as magnificent, and there was an equally fine show of farm produce. The specimens of ferns formed an attractive feature, while a couple of tobacco plants were considered as curiosities, as were two eggplants. John Miller exhibited a horticultural device, consisting of an imitation of a block of stone with a vulture perched on the top; and Isaac Andrews showed an imitation monkey wearing a pair of specks, and holding in his paws a copy of the works a popular poet. The monkey was seated under a canopy of flowers, and was the source of no little amusement. The band of the Antrim Rifles and the that of the Asylum played a selection of music.
The papers carried reports of a railway being constructed from Comber to Castle Espie Lime and Brick Works, by Samuel Murland. However, this never happened.
James Henderson, who had been a member of the choir for many years at Comber Non-Subscribing Church, was presented with an address and service of plate on his removal to Belfast.
The brethren of Masonic Lodge 165 (Comber) held their annual soiree and ball in Mr Robert Douglas's barn, Ballyrush, on 24th December.