DAVID LOVE (8341)died in Tamnaclare Townland, Donaghedy Parish, County Tyrone, in 1744. This is shown in the Phillimore Consistorial Will Index produced in 1912. I have been unable to locate the actual Will or an abstract so I am assuming they were destroyed in the fires in Dublin in 1922.

     This DAVID LOVE is undoubtedly the father of most if not all the LOVES who gradually obtained leases from the Earl of Abercorn in Cloughboy, Creaghcor, Tamnaclare and Menaghill Townlands, Donaghedy Parish in County Tyrone. You will find his sons in these Townlands on the Muster Roll of Arms in 1745.

   Of course the reason DAVID LOVE was not shown on the Muster Roll of Arms was he had died in 1744, the year before it was taken.

        SOURCE INFORMATION

     PHILLIMORE CONSISTORIAL WILL INDEX PUBLISHED IN 1912.

     TRANSCRIPT OF GRANGE CEMETERY. Located on the highway between Bready and Strabane. Copy is in my files. According to the transcript these gravestones do not show any legible dates.

     ABERCORN LEASE MAPS shown in PRONI file D623/D2/36 and also on LDS film # 1885949. Copies are in my files.

     Known children of DAVID⁸ LOVE (8341) and UNKNOWN (--?--) (57096) all born in Tamnaclare Townland, Donaghedy Parish, Tyrone, Ireland, were as follows:

 + 51.        i.          ROBERT⁹ (8346) ROBERT (8346) was born circa 1702. He married ELIZABETH ALLEN (8347), daughter of JOSEPH ALLEN (8352), at an unknown date. ROBERT (8346) died 1767 at age at an unknown age. His body was interred 1767.

      52.        ii.           JOHN (8348). JOHN (8348) was born circa 1704. JOHN (8348) died before 31 March 1760 in Creaghcor Townland, Donaghedy Parish, Tyrone, Ireland, at age at an unknown age. His body was interred 31 March 1760 in Grange Cem., Donaghedy, Tyrone, Ireland.

      53.       iii.           VICTOR (8743). VICTOR (8743) was born circa 1706. VICTOR (8743) died circa 1770 in Tamnaclare Townland, Donaghedy Parish, Tyrone, Ireland, at age at an unknown age. His body was interred circa 1770 in Grange Cem., Donaghedy, Tyrone, Ireland.

      54.       iv.          JAMES (8350). JAMES (8350) was born circa 1710. JAMES (8350) died at an unknown date in Menaghill Townland, Donaghedy Parish, Tyrone, Ireland, at age at an unknown age.

 + 55.       v.          DAVID (8351) DAVID (8351) was born circa 1712. He married JANE (--?--) (8744) at an unknown date. DAVID (8351) died 1783 at age at an unknown age. His body was interred 1783.

43. WILLIAM⁸ LOVE (117356) (ROBERT⁷, ROBERT⁶, WILLIAM⁵, JHONE (JOHN)⁴ LUIFE, JOHANNUS (JOHN)³, JOHANNUS (JOHN)² LUF, NIGELLUS (NIGEL)¹) was born circa 1680 in Strabane, Camus, Tyrone, Ireland. He married UNKNOWN (--?--) (117367).

WILLIAM LOVE (117356)will is shown in Phillimore Consistorial Will Index. William DeLoss Love in his manuscript says this WILLIAM LOVE had a son SAMUEL He was able to actually see this Will when he visited Ireland in 1907. Unfortunately he was not interested in Ardstraw LOVES so didn’t go into any more detail. Copy of his manuscript is in my files. The original is held by the Library of Congress Call # Microfilm 85/9462 MicRR. Of course this is one of the Wills which cannot be located today and presumably was destroyed in the Dublin fires in 1922.

     Known children of WILLIAM⁸ LOVE (117356) and UNKNOWN (--?--) (117367) are:

      56.         i.          SAMUEL⁹ (117368) married UKNOWN (--?--) (117369).

44. JOHN⁸ LOVE (8343) (ROBERT⁷, ROBERT⁶, WILLIAM⁵, JHONE (JOHN)⁴ LUIFE, JOHANNUS (JOHN)³, JOHANNUS (JOHN)² LUF, NIGELLUS (NIGEL)¹). JOHN (8343) was born circa 1682 in Strabane, Camus, Tyrone, Ireland. He married ELIZABETH (--?--) (117365). JOHN (8343) died before 1771 in Crew Townland, Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone, Ireland, at age at an unknown age.

JOHN LOVE (8343)appealed to the Earl for help on tithe problem. 12 October 1744 letter from Nathaniel Nisbitt (agent at Lifford ) to the 8^th Earl of Abercorn. “ list of 20 tenants in Ardstraw Parish who say they set out their tithe according to your Lordship’s directions by now they are threatened to be put into Bishop’s Court for subtraction.” Taken from Abercorn Estate Papers. Shown in LDS film # 1736518. PRONI file D623/A/27/25. Copy of the complete letter is in my files.

  JOHN LOVE is shown on the 1756 survey for the Earl of Abercorn holding 34 acres in Upper Crew southwest division. It describes the quality of the land and states there is NO house. Exact location can be found on the 1771 map. Copy is in my file. Found in PRONI file D623/D1/11 and LDS film # 1885919 item 12.

       JOHN LOVE was renting 34.3.19 acres of land in 1771 in Crew Townland, Ardstraw Parish, County Tyrone, from James Hamilton, 8th Earl of Abercorn at an annual rate of £ 16.4.8. This is shown in the rental records of Abercorn Estate Papers. P.R.O.N.I. file D623/D1/16-23. LDS film # 1885920. Copies of the rental maps showing the exact location as well as lists of the quality of the land are in my files.

       Rent £ 13.0.0. shown as West Upper Crew. As of November 1787

 there was 11 years unexpired on the lease. Taken from Abercorn Estate Papers, Manor of Strabane Rent Rolls 1794-1809. P.R.O.N.I. record D/623/C/41. Supplied by Ulster Historical Foundation. This discloses that the leases at this period were longer leases. Earlier problems were the leases may have been on a yearly basis in which case the tenant didn't make any improvements as he wouldn't be sure his lease would be renewed.

ELIZABETH (--?--) (117365)widow of JOHN LOVE was renting 34 acres of land in Crew Townland for £ 22.10.0. Taken from Abercorn Estate Papers, Manor of Strabane Rent Rolls 1794-1809. P.R.O.N.I. record D/623/C/41. Supplied by Ulster Historical Foundation.

     Known children of JOHN⁸ LOVE (8343) and ELIZABETH (--?--) (117365) are:

      57.         i.          CHARLES⁹ (117366) was born in Crew Townland, Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone, Ireland.

CHARLES LOVE (117366)was renting the same 34 acres of land in 1806 in Crew Townland, Ardstraw Parish, as rented by JOHN LOVE in 1771 and 1777. The same references apply. I am assuming he was a son of JOHN.

46. WILLIAM⁸ LOVE (8098) (JOHN⁷, ROBERT⁶, WILLIAM⁵, JHONE (JOHN)⁴ LUIFE, JOHANNUS (JOHN)³, JOHANNUS (JOHN)² LUF, NIGELLUS (NIGEL)¹). WILLIAM (8098) was born circa 1679 in Strabane, Camus, Tyrone, Ireland. He married UNKNOWN (--?--) (117288). WILLIAM (8098) died 1753 in Crew Townland, Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone, Ireland, at age at an unknown age. He was buried in 1753 in Scarvagherin Cem., Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone, Ireland.

WILLIAM LOVE (8098)was the son of JOHN LOVE and PHINUEL LECKY.

      12 October 1744 letter from Nathaniel Nisbitt (agent at Lifford)

  to the 8^th Earl of Abercorn. “ list of 20 tenants in Ardstraw Parish who say they set out their tithe according to your Lordship’s directions by now they are threatened to be put into Bishop’s Court for subtraction.” Taken from Abercorn Estate Papers. Shown in LDS film # 1736518. PRONI file D623/A/27/25. Copy of the complete letter is in my files..

        The will for WILLIAM LOVE was filed in Crew Townland, Ardstraw Parish, County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1753. It shows in the Phillimore Will Index (this book is in my library) which was written in 1912 before the fires in Dublin in 1922. These fires in the Forecourt building were during the fighting for independence. Most of the wills and many of the old parish church records were destroyed. The ironical part of this sad story is the government had told all the churches to send their records to Dublin for safekeeping. So I know there was a will but I have never been able to locate a copy of the will or even a copy of an abstract.

            I came across a file in the Library of Congress which proves HUGH LOVE was the eldest son of WILLIAM LOVE of Crew Townland, Ardstraw Parish, County Tyrone. A DR. WILLIAM DELOSS LOVE D.D. visited Ireland in 1908 trying to trace his LOVE family connections. At that time he was able to see the wills which were later destroyed in the fires in Dublin in 1922. He certainly saw the will of WILLIAM LOVE of Crew Townland made in 1753. He says there were several sons but the eldest was HUGH. This is born out by the Abercorn Lease Maps of 1756 which shows WIDOW LOVE on the property and in 1771 it shows HUGH on the same property. It is too bad he did not name the other sons as this would have been the proof we needed to establish for sure that WILLIAM LOVE was the father of "our" JOHN LOVE.

     Failing to find a copy of the will today, it is necessary to use circumstantial evidence and build a case for "the best probability". In this case I am forced to use the prevalence at that time of naming the first born son in a family after the grandfather on the father's side. We know "our" JOHN LOVE named his first son born in Ireland "WILLIAM". So the most likely candidate would be this WILLIAM LOVE who died in Crew Townland in 1753. It is the closest to where JOHN LOVE leased his 3 acres. Just for the record there were 3 other possibilities. A WILLIAM LOVE had a will in 1748 in Scarvagherin Townland. A WILLIAM LOVE was still living in 1771 in Glenlush Townland about 3 miles away. Another WILLIAM LOVE was still living in 1771 in Listymore Townland about 3 miles away.

     You may well wonder why there is any sense in trying to trace the LOVE connections back any further when we don't have a solid basis of proof. My reasoning goes like this. There were not a huge number of LOVES in County Tyrone at this time. The chances are good that we will get the correct connection by using a preponderance of circumstantial evidence. We will at least establish the presence of a LOVE in a specific place at a specific time. If the connection is not 100 % correct we can be sure the person is a close relative. A close relative would certainly go back to a common ancestor which we would pick up in an earlier generation.

     One of my main interests in genealogy has always been to study the local and general history of each place where an ancestor lived and try to envisage what life was like for them. This included geography as well as history of the area. Then it could be fitted into the bigger picture of what was happening in the country. It is exciting to realize our ancestors were actually living during some of those dangerous times with momentous events and usually they had a huge struggle to survive. History comes alive when our own ancestors were taking part.

     So I will make family connections to show the arrival of LOVES from Scotland and if the actual persons are not 100 % correct, at least the events of each time period will be correct and interesting.

     There were no LOVES in Ardstraw Parish, County Tyrone, at the time of the Muster Rolls in 1641. Likewise there were no LOVES in 1669 when the Hearth Money Rolls were made. These facts may be significant to show the LOVES moved into this area after 1700 and probably from Strabane. The first mention of a LOVE in Ardstraw Parish is in the Presbyterian Synod Meeting in 1722 when MR. LOVE was a representative elder for the Ardstraw Village Presbyterian Church. No first name was mentioned but in 1723 an ANDREW LOVE was the representative so it is very likely these two are the same person. A JOHN LOVE of Strabane represented the Strabane Church in 1722 so they are probably related. It is this ANDREW LOVE who I believe to be the brother of WILLIAM LOVE of Crew Townland, Ardstraw Parish, County Tyrone.

      I was advised by an archivist in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland in Belfast to look at the Estate Records of the Earl of Abercorn as Ardstraw Parish was part of the huge area he owned. These lands had been handed down in the Hamilton family since the original plantation grants. They kept very detailed and extensive business records and the Hamilton family turned over 300 years of these files to PRONI (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland) for historical and heritage purposes. Luckily they had allowed Latter Day Saints to photograph these so they are all available on microfilm from Salt Lake City.

     Among the Abercorn Estate records are maps showing the individual pieces of land being leased to tenants with descriptions of the quality of the land and the amount of rent the person was paying. Also there are the Abercorn Letters between the Earl of Abercorn and his Estate Agents. They go into great detail about the Estate and are an excellent source of information about those particular times.

     The first mention of LOVES in the letters is in 1744 when the Estate Agent, Nathaniel Nesbitt, asks the Earl for advice. He states that 20 men of Ardstraw Parish are in some sort of trouble with the church as their tithes have not arrived. Of the 20 men mentioned 5 are LOVES. CHRISTOPHER, JAMES, JOHN, ROBERT and WILLIAM. Copy of this letter is in my files dated 12 October 1744.

     Although it didn't give the Townland where each of the above lived, I think it most likely that WILLIAM mentioned is WILLIAM LOVE of Crew Townland. The others are probably all brothers. WILLIAM, CHRISTOPHER and JOHN were in Crew Townland. JAMES was in Killstrule Townland and ROBERT in Magheralough Townland. These locations are all confirmed in the Abercorn Lease Maps.

     The next mention of LOVES in the letters is in 1750 when the Estate Agent reports to the Earl on who should win the 20 shilling prize offered by the Earl for the best "garden". He advises that ROBERT LOVE and JAMES HAMILTON should share it. This ROBERT LOVE was leasing land in Magheralough Townland just south of the Derg River and across from Crew Townland which will feature so prominently later. Letter was 19 August 1750 and copy is in my files.

     In the 1756 survey made for the Earl of Abercorn it shows WIDOW LOVE holding 29 acres in Upper Crew Townland. She is the widow of WILLIAM LOVE whose will was filed in 1753. If we are accepting this WILLIAM LOVE as father for "our" JOHN LOVE then this would be JOHN's mother but no first name is shown for her.

     In the 1756 survey made for the Earl of Abercorn there are only 5 LOVES shown as holding specific land. ROBERT in Ballyfolliard 34 acres. JOHN in Crew holding 34 acres. WIDOW LOVE in Crew holding 29 acres. ROBERT in Magheralough holding 69 acres in partnership with another man. WILLIAM in Glenlush holding 69 acres. This is starting to clarify the older men and may help to trace the children that took over plots of land by the 1771 maps. Some of these children may have actually been on the land at the time of the 1756 survey but may not have been granted leases by that date.

     I don't think there is any doubt that WILLIAM LOVE was buried in the Scarvagherin Cemetery across the Derg River from Crew Townland. This is a very old cemetery as originally it belonged to a Franciscan Friary back in the 15th century. There are 5 large memorial tombstones for various families of LOVES. These were all put up in the 1800s and some of them refer to LOVES who had been born in the late 1700s. These families can be tied to LOVE families living in Crew Townland later in the 1800s and 1900s. There are many, many older tombstones which are no longer legible. So WILLIAM and his wife would have been buried here in the mid 1700s. Photographs taken in 1997 and 1999 are in my files.

     Some history of the Parish of Ardstraw will give a better feel for the area where LOVES lived in the 1700s. It is a parish of about 10 miles by 15 miles comprising about 32,000 acres. A third of this area is composed of bogs and mountains and unsuitable for farming. It is interesting to note the Earl of Abercorn was very fair in this regard and the tenants were not charged rent on the land that was not arable. The land that is arable along the rivers is very fertile.

     Ardstraw Parish has records of habitation back in the 9th century when there was a Monastery in the area. In 1397 the Lord Archbishop stayed at Ardstraw Village on a Visitation. Ardstraw was part of the huge area of land controlled by the O'NEILL clan. In 1999 there are still ruins of Harry Avery's Castle at Newtownstewart. His actual name was Henry Aimbreidh O'Neill and he died in 1392.

     It is still hard to believe that in the 16th century the population of the whole of Ireland wasn't more than 500,000 people. In the Ardstraw area there were practically no roads but there was a bridge at Ardstraw in 1564 so it shows it was a place of some importance. The bridge at Ardstraw Village is where the chiefs of the O'Neill and O'Donnell clans signed a peace treaty in 1564. The bridge at Castlederg was not built until 1609 and the ones at Lifford and Derry were not even there in 1690. The rivers were crossed by fords or in the case of the larger rivers were crossed by ferry. The area was completely rural and even Strabane was only a tiny village of about 30 families. At that time life was centered on the family and everyday survival. There was not a national concept of Ireland as a united country. The history had always been one of individual Irish Chiefs fighting each other for control of land and cattle.

So by the late 16th century Ardstraw was inhabited mostly by Irish of the O'Neill Clan. TURLOUGH LOONEY O'NEILL was Chief of the Clan from 1567 to 1595 and made his headquarters at the village of Newtown which later became known as Newtownstewart. His wife was Lady Agnes Campbell, daughter of Archibald Campbell, 4th Earl of Argyle in Scotland. At one time O'Neill employed as many as 3,000 Scottish mercenaries, mostly highlanders from the Islands.

     Culture and religion in the 16th century in all of Ireland and certainly in Ardstraw was at an extremely low level compared to England and Europe. The Church which had been continuous since St. Patrick's time was undergoing a transition. The Reform movement of the mid 1500s was throwing religion into turmoil with it's adherence to the Book of Common Prayer. Just as in England the swings from Catholicism to Protestantism and back caused utter confusion. The clergy were not properly trained and in Ireland it was worse because many of the clergy could not speak Irish.

     There had been a church at Ardstraw Village dating back to the mid 16th century. However by 1622 it was in ruins. The Church of Ireland (Anglican) built a new church in 1623 but decided it would be better to have it in Newtownstewart instead of Ardstraw Village. It was dedicated to St. Eugene.

          The closest Presbyterian Church to Crew Townland in the mid 1700s would have been at Ardstraw Village, about 4 miles from Crew Townland. This was the oldest Presbyterian Church in the neighbourhood. The first Meeting House had been built in 1668 but there had been a congregation meeting since 1656. A photograph of the present church built in 1882 is in my files. The minister of the Ardstraw Presbyterian Church from 1733 to 1781 was Rev. Andrew Welsh, M.A. who had come from Edinburgh. This would be the time period when WILLIAM LOVE was living in Crew Townland. He undoubtedly attended church there.

     The living farmers could make from their small leased farms was very difficult. Most of them would have done weaving in the evenings to bring in some money for purchasing items they had to buy. The women would do many of the farm chores and also did the spinning. They made all their own clothes. If they had an open hearth in the cottage they would burn peat as coal was too expensive. Very few could afford candles. The cottages of most farmers were rough wood at first and then later would be of stone. The one storied cottage would be thatched with straw. If there were two rooms one would be for their cow, sheep and probably a pig.

     The Church of Ireland (Anglican) was still the state church and tithes were collected from everybody to support the Episcopalian clergymen and churches. This of course was particularly annoying to the Presbyterians and Catholics who also had to support their own churches. It was one of the main reasons for so many leaving Ireland. In 1750 the tithes paid in Ardstraw Parish were as follows.

For a cow 9 pence

For a sheep 1 pence

For a turf stack 6 pence

For a garden 1 pence

For Easter Offering 4 pence

For a marriage 2 shillings 6 pence

For a christening 1 shilling 6 pence

For a burial 1 shilling 6 pence

For flax and potatoes 6 pence per acre

     The above information is shown in a letter to the Earl of Abercorn from his Estate Agent, Nathaniel Nesbitt, on 7 January 1750. A copy is in my files taken from the LDS film # 1736518. PRONI file D623/A/30/49.

     Annual earnings in cash in 1733 would be £8 for a country schoolteacher and £10 in a town. Of course most of the children were needed to help on the farm so their schooling would be limited if any. £44 for a farmer on leased land, £45 for a tradesman, £20 for a servant, £6 10 shillings for a cotter and £14 for a soldier.

     Starting in 1730 and for the next 20 years making a living from farming became almost impossible. Considering what they made from selling their crops at continually dropping prices, they many times could not pay their rent for the land. The Estate Agent's books show people getting further and further behind. The land became overworked and they could not afford to make any improvements. England restricted the importation of wool to protect their own wool industry. Thus the farmers in Ardstraw lost what little extra income they had been making by spinning. Ardstraw was better off than most because of the help from the Earl of Abercorn. He often supplied free flour to his tenants to support them over the hard times.

     The holdings became smaller and smaller as families had to divide the land between their sons. Many lost their lease and had to try to eke out a living as a cottier. These were persons who just sold their labour for food and a place to live.

      There had been repeated bad harvest years in 1720, 1728, 1740, 1757 and 1765. After 1750 potatoes became the staple diet. At that time it is estimated that one out of every ten persons in Ireland died of starvation or disease. Keep in mind this is 1750 and not yet 1840 when the worst starvation years drove millions out of Ireland. By 1762 two thirds of the population were unemployed. Around the middle of the century emigration was about 12 thousand per year.

      It would appear WILLIAM LOVE had a very difficult life as a farmer. However he didn't live to see much worse times that evolved after 1770 when his son JOHN LOVE was forced to emigrate to America.

                               SOURCE of INFORMATION

     ARDSTRAW - HISTORICAL SURVEY OF A PARISH. By Cannon John H. Gebbie. Published in 1968 by Strule Press, Omagh, Northern Ireland.

     ABERCORN LETTERS 1736-1816. By Cannon John H. Gebbie Published in 1972 by Strule Press, Omagh, Northern Ireland.

     ABERCORN PAPERS RE IRISH ESTATES. These are held by PRONI in Belfast in various files D623. However they have been put on microfilm by LDS and are available from Salt Lake City. The excerpts from letters quoted above are from LDS film # 1736679.

     IRISH WILLS by W. P. W. Phillimore and Gertrude Thrift. The reprint is by the Genealogical Publishing Co., in Baltimore, USA.

     WILLIAM DELOSS LOVE MANUSCRIPT. Held by Library of Congress Call # MICROFILM 85/9462 MicRR. Also available on LDS film # 1465994 Item 4. Copy of this complete manuscript is in my files.

UNKNOWN (--?--) (117288)is shown in the 1756 survey for the Earl of Abercorn holding 29 acres in Upper Crew southwest division. This is the next property to JOHN LOVE above. She is the widow of WILLIAM LOVE whose Will was filed in CREW in 1753. It describes the quality of the land and states there is 1 house. . Exact location can be seen on the 1771 Lease map where it shows HUGH LOVE Found in PRONI file D623/D1/11 and LDS film # 1885919 item 12. The WILLIAM DeLOSS LOVE MANUSCRIPT states HUGH LOVE was the eldest son of WILLIAM LOVE and there were several other sons. He visited Ireland in 1907 and was able to see these Wills which are no longer available as most of them were destroyed in the fires in Dublin in 1922. A copy of the manuscript is in my files. The original is held by the Library of Congress Call # Microfilm 85/9462 MicRR.

     Known children of WILLIAM⁸ LOVE (8098) and UNKNOWN (--?--) (117288) all born in Crew Townland, Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone, Ireland, were as follows:

 + 58.        i.          HUGH⁹ (8413) HUGH (8413) was born circa 1725. He married MARTHA (--?--) (117209).

 + 59.       ii.           WILLIAM (8247) WILLIAM (8247) was born circa 1728. He married UNKNOWN (--?--) (117357). WILLIAM (8247) died before 1806 at age at an unknown age.

      60.       iii.           ROBERT (8249). ROBERT (8249) was born circa 1730. ROBERT (8249) died at an unknown date at age at an unknown age.

 + 61.      iv.          JOHN (54) JOHN (54) was born circa 1739. He married LILLY (ELIZABETH) ALLEN (69), daughter of JAMES ALLEN (8099), circa 1768 in Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone, Ireland. JOHN (54) died 25 August 1794 at age at an unknown age.

47. JOHN⁸ LOVE (8256) (JOHN⁷, ROBERT⁶, WILLIAM⁵, JHONE (JOHN)⁴ LUIFE, JOHANNUS (JOHN)³, JOHANNUS (JOHN)² LUF, NIGELLUS (NIGEL)¹). JOHN (8256) was born circa 1680 in Strabane, Camus, Tyrone, Ireland. He married UNKNOWN (--?--) (117262). JOHN (8256) died circa 1750 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, at age at an unknown age.

JOHN LOVE (8256)along with WILLIAM MOORE, JOHN ORR, JOHN ALEXANDER, JAMES CARR, THOMAS SMITH, MARGARET McCLURE and JAMES ANDERSON sued OLIVER McAUSLAND SR. They claimed he had leased land to them on 24 February 1714. This is shown in Exchequer Bill # 30 dated 30 June 1727. However there is no response shown. This Bill is detailed in PRONI file T808/9433. It is also shown in LDS film # 0258488 which is research done by Tennison Groves. Copy is in my file.

      It is thought this JOHN LOVE is the son of JOHN LOVE SR. of Strabane. If this is the case then he went to England after 1727 because in 1737 he is shown as a merchant in Bristol, England in a deed when he sold a house in Strabane.

JOHN LOVE TO WILLIAM WHITE DEED # 69127 IRISH DEEDS VOLUME 97 PAGE 452 DATED 9 NOVEMBER 1737 REGISTERED 21 JUNE 1740 SHOWN ON LDS FILM # 046134

A Memorial of an Indentured Deed of Release bearing date the Ninth Day of November One Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Seven made or meant to be made between JOHN LOVE of the City of Bristol in the Kingdom of Great Britain, Merchant, son and heir of JOHN LOVE late of the Town of Strabane in the County of Tyrone in Ireland, Merchant, deceased, of the one part and WILLIAM WHITE of Gortmegom of the County of Londonderry in the Kingdom ofIreland, Tanner, of the other part. Reciting that by deed bearing date 30th day of April One Thousand Six Hundred and Seventy Six from GEORGE HAMILTON then of the County of Tipperary, Knight and ___ conveyed in Feefarm __ unto the said JOHN LOVE late father of JOHN LOVE party to said deed of release and to his heirs, all the tenement situate in the Town of Strabane aforesaid bounded on the south by the tenement then HUGH BROWN'S tenement and on the north by the tenement then CLAUD SCOT'S tenement and continuing in front streetwards thirty-six feet and reaching to the River Mourne westward. Also all that tenement in the Cross of Strabane and bounded west by the tenement then JOHN KNOX'S tenement and on the east by the tenement then RICHARD CLARKE'S tenement and continuing in front to the way that leadeth to the well called the Holy Well sixty feet and extending to the garden then in the possession of HENRY NOBLE. Fourthward as also forty (?) Acres of land in the Holm of Ballycolman near Strabane lying between certain acres that are in the possession of JOHN MAXWELL on the one end and the Town lane of Ballycolman on the other hand with the appurtenances to said premises belonging or appertaining __- thereout the yearly Feefarm Rent of one pound, sixteen shillings and eight pence sterling and further reciting that on said tenement continuing in front thirty-six feet had been built frontward one dwelling house and backwards a brew house and stable then in the possession of JAMES SCOTT and on the said tenement continuing in front sixty feet had been built frontwards one dwelling house part of which was then in the possession of JANE DALE otherwise REED and the other part in possession of TENAL (?) EVANS otherwise POLK and that all said premises on the death of JOHN LOVE, the father had ___and vested in said JOHN LOVE party to the said deed of release and witnessing that the said JOHN LOVE in consideration of two hundred and fifty pounds sterling in hand paid by the said WILLIAM WHITE the receipt whereof he the said JOHN LOVE doth thereby acknowledge hath given, granted, bargained, sold, , released and confirmed unto the said WILLIAM WHITE his heirs and assignees forever all and ___ the lands, tenements ___ and ___ with their and every one of their assigns subject to the said yearly Feefarm rent of one pound sixteen shillings and eight pence __ ___ ___ ___ said deed of release _____ ______which ___said deed is witnessed by ABRAHAM CLARKE of the City of Bristol___ . mariner and EDWARD BERRY then of the said City , mariner and this Memorial is witnessed by the said ABRAHAM CLARKE and JOHN McCLINTOCK of the City of Dublin, Gent,

WILLIAM WHITE SEAL

Signed and sealed in presence of ABRAHAM CLARKE and JOHN McCLINTOCK

The above named ABRAHAM CLARKE came before me and solemnly, sincerely and truly declared and affirmed that he is aforesaid witness to the Deed of Release of which the above is a Memorial and he saw the same duly executed by the above named JOHN LOVE party thereto and likewise saw the said WILLIAM WHITE party to the said deed execute the above Memorial and further affirmath that the name ABRAHAM CLARKE signed as a subscribing witness to the said deed and memorial is their affirmed proper handwriting _______said deed and memorial __ MR. WILLIAM PARRY, Deputy Registrar in the City of Dublin the 21 st day of June 1740 at or near half an hour after ten 0' clock in the forenoon.

ABRAHAM CLARKE declared and affirmed this 21 st day of June 1740 Before WILLIAM PARRY, Deputy Registrar

        WILLIAM DeLOSS LOVE in his manuscript thinks this JOHN LOVE left sons ROBERT and JOHN. This is probably correct as ROBERT LOVE died in Killstrule in 1769 and a JOHN LOVE died in Killstrule in 1762. He also must have left a son JAMES. who married ELIZABETH McCLURE.

        See 1787 when they sold land to JACOB ALEXANDER. JAMES died in Killstrule in 1787. That branch of LOVES seems to have all died out in Killstrule as there is never any mention again of LOVES in that Townland.

     Known children of JOHN⁸ LOVE (8256) and UNKNOWN (--?--) (117262) were as follows:

           62.   i.          JAMES⁹ (107933) married ELIZABETH McCLURE (107934). He died in 1787 in Killstrule Townland, Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone Co., Ireland.

JAMES LOVE (107933)was the son of JOHN LOVE but we have been unable to identify the name of his mother.

12 October 1744 letter from Nathaniel Nisbitt (agent at Lifford )

to the 8^th Earl of Abercorn. “ list of 20 tenants in Ardstraw Parish who say they set out their Tithe according to your Lordship’s directions by now they are threatened to be put into Bishop’s Court for subtraction.” Taken from Abercorn Estate Papers. Shown in LDS film # 1736518. PRONI file D623/A/27/25. Copy of the complete letter is in my files.

Registry of Deeds number 385-9-253280 Deed date 2nd December 1784. Elizabeth McClure of Findrum and James Love of Killstrule ( Killstrule, Ardstraw) Dowry Witnesses John McClure of Ballypatrick Co. Donegal. Andrew McClure.

JAMES LOVE and wife ELIZABETH McLURE to JACOB ALEXANDER dated 12 June 1789 registered 30 June 1787. Land in Killstrule Townland, Ardstraw Parish, County Tyrone. Irish Deeds volume 410 page 162 deed #269505. LDS film # 0534020. Copy is in my files.

JAMES LOVE and PAT McKEAN (?) to LAWRENCE (?) LOVE of

Newtownstewart. 1787 16 acres for £ 155 in Killstrule Townland, Ardstraw Parish, County Tyrone . Irish Deeds volume 393 page 164 deed # 258533. LDS film # 0532584. Copy is in my files.

SOURCE of INFORMATION

MR. MALCOLM McCLURE.

      63.        ii.           ROBERT (117263) was born in Killstrule Townland, Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone Co., Ireland. He married KATE (--?--) (117389). He died in 1769 in Killstrule Townland, Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone Co., Ireland.

ROBERT LOVE (117263)will is listed in the Consistorial Will Index, Derry, 1612-1858. I have been unable to locate a copy of this Will or even an abstract.

Deed dated 2 November 1791 registered 28 January 1793. KATE widow of ROBERT LOVE and ISABELLA CUNNINGHAM (Nee LOVE) Copy is in my files.

      64.       iii.           JOHN (117264) was born in Killstrule Townland, Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone Co., Ireland. He died in 1762 in Killstrule Townland, Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone Co., Ireland.

JOHN LOVE (117264)will is listed in the Consistorial Will Index, Derry, 1612-1858. I have been unable to locate a copy of this Will or even an abstract.

48. ROBERT⁸ LOVE (8257) (JOHN⁷, ROBERT⁶, WILLIAM⁵, JHONE (JOHN)⁴ LUIFE, JOHANNUS (JOHN)³, JOHANNUS (JOHN)² LUF, NIGELLUS (NIGEL)¹). ROBERT (8257) was born circa 1681 in Strabane, Camus, Tyrone, Ireland. He married UNKNOWN (--?--) (117289). ROBERT (8257) died 1758 in Ballyfolliard Townland, Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone, Ireland, at age at an unknown age.

ROBERT LOVE (8257)was the son of John Love, of Strabane, and Phinuel Lecky.

        12 October 1744 letter from Nathaniel Nisbitt (agent at Lifford ) to the 8^th Earl of Abercorn. “ list of 20 tenants in Ardstraw Parish who say they set out their Tithe according to your Lordship’s directions by now they are threatened to be put into Bishop’s Court for subtraction.” Taken from Abercorn Estate Papers. Shown in LDS film # 1736518. PRONI file D623/A/27/25. Copy of the complete letter is in my file.

      The survey of 1756 for the Earl of Abercorn shows ROBERT LOVE holding 34 acres on the southwest or lower side of Ballyfolliard. It shows a house and describes the quality of the land. Copy is in my files. From PRONI file D623/D1/13. LDS film # 1885919 items 9-13. Exact location can be seen on the 1771 Lease map

     WILL Shown in Phillimore Consistorial Will Index. The Estate Agent N. Nesbitt in a letter dated 1 April 1758 to the Earl of Abercorn says “ROBERT LOVE is dead leaving behind 3 sons, ages 15, 11 and 7. Who is to be your Lordship’s Tenant ? “. A later lease shows the property being leased by JAMES LOVE so presumably he was the eldest son mentioned in the Will. WILLIAM DeLOSS LOVE in his manuscript is more detailed. He says the sons were JAMES, SAMUEL, ROBERT, ALEXANDER and CHRISTOPHER. There must have been daughters as well. From Abercorn estate Letters in PRONI file D623/A/33/18. Shown in LDS film # 1736519. Copy in my files.. Copy of WILLIAM DeLOSS LOVE manuscript is in my files. The original is held by the Library of Congress Call # Microfilm 85/9462 MicRR. Of course this is one of the Wills which cannot be located today and presumably was destroyed in the Dublin fires in 1922.

        25 April 1775, letter from James Hamilton (Agent at Strabane) to 8^th Earl of Abercorn - “JOHN LOVE of Crew and 4 others who just join (next to it) this farm were also in treaty for it .” the 4 others were all LOVES. HUGH, ROBERT JR, ROBERT SR. and SAMUEL. The land in question was 18 acres on the Derg River and surrounded on all other sides by the land of the LOVES mentioned above. A Mathew Paton .had been leasing but was having difficulty in paying the rent. The LOVES offered to buy it and continue to support Paton’s mother but the Earl evidently ruled that Paton could continue and he still shows on the 1777 Rental Maps. The letter also stated “the Crew men are quiet, honest, substantial men”. So the LOVES in Crew must have been well respected. If the LOVES had been successful in getting this lease they would have been leasing ALL the land in Upper Crew Townland except 1 piece. The letter from the Estate Agent to the Earl of Abercorn 25 April 1775 is in my files. It is PRONI file # D623/4/42/60.

     Known children of ROBERT⁸ LOVE (8257) and UNKNOWN (--?--) (117289) all born in Ballyfolliard Townland, Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone, Ireland, were as follows:

 + 65.        i.          JAMES⁹ (8414) JAMES (8414) was born circa 1743. He married UNKNOWN (--?--) (117290). JAMES (8414) died 1789 at age at an unknown age.

      66.        ii.           SAMUEL (8415). SAMUEL (8415) was born circa 1747. SAMUEL (8415) died at an unknown date at age at an unknown age.

      67.       iii.           ROBERT (8416). ROBERT (8416) was born circa 1751. ROBERT (8416) died after 1806 in Crew Townland, Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone, Ireland, at age at an unknown age.

ROBERT LOVE JR. (8416)was renting 44.0.5 acres of land in 1771 in Crew Townland for an annual rent of £ 12.2.2 from James Hamilton, 8^th Earl of Abercorn. This land in Crew was just across the road from his father's lease in Ballyfolliard. P.R.O.N.I. file D623/D1/16-23. LDS film # 1885920. Copies of the rental maps showing the exact location and lists detailing the quality of the land are in my files. Note he was still leasing in 1777.

This ROBERT LOVE JR. was the son of Robert Love of Ballyfolliard. On the 1771 map in Crew it showed Robert Love Jr. leasing 44 acres and right beside him was Robert Love Sr. who was leasing 46 acres. Because of the Sr. and Jr. designations I always assumed they were father and son as you would expect by the normal use of these suffix. However after learning more about Robert Love Sr. who emigrated with his family to South Carolina, USA I found he had only married in 1763 so Robert Love Jr. could not be his son. I can only assume to keep the 2 men identified in the area it became common practice to call them Sr. and Jr. just because of their age difference. And if he is the son of Robert Love of Ballyfolliard that would explain calling him Jr.

So because of all of the above, I determined this Robert Love Jr. was the son of Robert Love of Ballyfolliard. The boundary between Ballyfolliard and Crew ran along a road that separated the land of James Love, of Ballyfolliard and the land of Robert Love Jr. of Crew. James Love was the eldest son of Robert Love of Ballyfolliard and he had taken over the lease when his father died and I have documentation to prove this including that Robert was one of James brothers. It seems correct that if the eldest son James took over the lease that the younger son Robert would have to lease elsewhere and in this case just across the road.

25 April 1775, letter from James Hamilton (Agent at Strabane) to 8^th

Earl of Abercorn - “JOHN LOVE of Crew and 4 others who just join (next to it) this farm were also in treaty for it .” the 4 others were all LOVES. HUGH, ROBERT JR, ROBERT SR. and SAMUEL. The land in question was 18 acres on the Derg River and surrounded on all other sides by the land of the LOVES mentioned above. A Mathew Paton .had been leasing but was having difficulty in paying the rent. The LOVES offered to buy it and continue to support Paton’s mother but the Earl evidently ruled that Paton could continue and he still shows on the 1777 Rental Maps. The letter also stated “the Crew men are quiet, honest, substantial men”. So the LOVES in Crew must have been well respected. If the LOVES had been successful in getting this lease they would have been leasing ALL the land in Upper Crew Townland except 1 piece. The letter from the Estate Agent to the Earl of Abercorn 25 April 1775 is in my files. It is PRONI file # D623/4/42/60

Robert Love Jr. Rent £ 15.0.0.. shown as East Upper Crew. Taken from Abercorn Estate Papers, Manor of Strabane Rent Rolls 1794-1809. P.R.O.N.I. record D/623/C/41. Supplied by Ulster Historical Foundation.

In 1796 the government decided to encourage the growing of flax in Ireland to compete against the English imports. This was called the Flax Seed Entitlement but only approved men received this issue of seed. Robert Love Jr. was one of the men in Crew Townland who received the seed.

In 1806 he was still leasing the same 44 acres as he was in 1771.

      68.       iv.          ALEXANDER (8418). ALEXANDER (8418) was born circa 1753. ALEXANDER (8418) died at an unknown date at age at an unknown age.

      69.        v.          CHRISTOPHER (8419). CHRISTOPHER (8419) was born circa 1755. CHRISTOPHER (8419) died at an unknown date at age at an unknown age.

49. ANDREW⁸ LOVE (8245) (JOHN⁷, ROBERT⁶, WILLIAM⁵, JHONE (JOHN)⁴ LUIFE, JOHANNUS (JOHN)³, JOHANNUS (JOHN)² LUF, NIGELLUS (NIGEL)¹). ANDREW (8245) was born circa 1683 in Strabane, Camus, Tyrone, Ireland. He married UNKNOWN (--?--) (119269).

ANDREW LOVE (8245)was a Representative Elder at the General Synod Meeting of the

 Presbyterian Church . Although there is no first name shown presumably it is ANDREW LOVE who appears as Elder in 1723. Shown in the Fasti Records at the Presbyterian Historical Society in Belfast.

       ANDREW LOVE and 4 others laid a complaint against Mr. Jas. Kirkpatrick at the General Synod Meeting held in Dungannon 18 June 1723. It did not say where this ANDREW LOVE came from but I have assumed it was the same person as the LOVE above whose first name was not shown. They certainly travelled that far to the meetings as I know for sure that JOHN LOVE from Strabane was at the Dungannon meetings. This entry was shown in the Records of General Synod of Ulster 1721-1777 Volume 2 page 45. Printed in 1890 in Belfast. Held by Presbyterian Historical Society in Belfast.

      The Ardstraw Presbyterian Church in Ardstraw Village, is one of the oldest congregations in County Tyrone. People were meeting here before 1656 when it was illegal for Presbyterians to congregate. They had to meet secretly in the fields or woods and it was a matter of death for the minister if they were caught. The first Meeting House on this site was built in 1668 when the Presbyterians were first allowed to congregate. However they could not hold a service at the same time as the service at the Church of Ireland which was the state church at that time. The building that is in Ardstraw Village in 1997 was built in 1862. In the 1700s it was legal for Presbyterians to build a Meeting House but they could not locate it on the high ground in the village but had to locate it on lower ground down near the river.

     Known children of ANDREW⁸ LOVE (8245) and UNKNOWN (--?--) (119269) all born in Ardstraw Parish, Tyrone, Ireland, were as follows:

 + 70.        i.          CHRISTOPHER⁹ (8254) CHRISTOPHER (8254) was born circa 1708.

      71.        ii.           ANDREW (117312) was born circa 1712.

ANDREW LOVE (117312)was renting 37.1.0 acres from James Hamilton, 8^th Earl of Abercorn in Crew Upper. He was paying £ 15.10.0 annually. Shown in rental records of Abercorn Estate Papers. P.R.O.N.I. file D623/D1/16-23. LDS film # 1885920. Copies of the rental maps showing the exact location and lists showing the quality of the land are in my files. Note he was still leasing in 1777.

26 April 1778, Letter from James Hamilton (agent in Strabane to 8^th

Earl of Abercorn “settling a dispute between ANDREW LOVE of Crew and George McKelvie.” Extracted from book in my library ABERCORN LETTERS by Cannon J. Gebbie.

 + 72.      iii.           ROBERT (8252) ROBERT (8252) was born circa 1715. He married JANE (--?--) (117151). ROBERT (8252) died after 1771 at age at an unknown age.

      73.       iv.          JAMES (8251). JAMES (8251) was born circa 1717. JAMES (8251) died at an unknown date at age at an unknown age.

JAMES LOVE (8251)appealed to the Earl for help on tithe problem. 12 October 1744 letter from Nathaniel Nisbitt (agent at Lifford )

to the 8^th Earl of Abercorn. “ list of 20 tenants in Ardstraw Parish who say they set out their Tithe according to your Lordship’s directions by now they are threatened to be put into Bishop’s Court for subtraction.” Taken from Abercorn Estate Papers. Shown in LDS film # 1736518. PRONI file D623/A/27/25. Copy of the complete letter is in my files.

      74.        v.          JOHN (8253). JOHN (8253) was born circa 1719. JOHN (8253) died at an unknown date at an unknown age.

JOHN LOVE (8253)was involved in a dispute about water rights at the mill. 29 JUNE 1783 , letter from James Hamilton (agent at Strabane) to 8^th  Earl of Abercorn - “Dispute between Robert Hooey and Andrew Sproule. Hooey complains about water from Sproule’s carry. McKelvey and JOHN LOVE hold Crew Mill” Extracted from book in my library ABERCORN LETTERS by Cannon J. Gebbie.

JOHN LOVE of CREW 12 June 1784, letter from James Hamilton (agent at Strabane) to 8^th Earl of Abercorn - “ JOHN LOVE and George McKelvey want £ 30 to help rebuild the Crew Mill.” Extracted from book in my library ABERCORN LETTERS by Cannon J. Gebbie.

50. ROBERT⁸ LOVE (119439) (JAMES⁷, ROBERT⁶ LUIFE, JAMES⁵, ROBERT⁴, JOHANNUS (JOHN)³, JOHANNUS (JOHN)² LUF, NIGELLUS (NIGEL)¹) was born circa 1665 in Threipwood, Beith Parish, Ayrshire, Scotland. He married AGNES STEVENSON (119440) on 10 March 1690 in Ayrshire, Scotland. He died in 1741 in Ayrshire, Scotland.

     AGNES STEVENSON (119440) was born circa 1669 in Beith Parish, Ayrshire, Scotland.

     Known children of ROBERT⁸ LOVE (119439) and AGNES STEVENSON (119440) all born in Threipwood, Beith Parish, Ayrshire, Scotland, were as follows:

      75.         i.          BARBARA⁹ (119445) was born on 27 February 1692.

 + 76.       ii.           JAMES (119441) was born in March 1694. He married JANET COCHRANE (119442) in Ayrshire, Scotland. He married JEAN ROBINSON (119448) on 27 April 1732 in Ayrshire, Scotland. He died in 1743.

      77.       iii.           WILLIAM (119446) was born circa 1695.

      78.       iv.          JOHN (119447) was born circa 1697.

DIRECT E-MAIL link to Linton E. Love