Patrick McCarten (born abt. 1833) Ballycross, Banbridge, Co. Down (died in NZ 1882)

The tithe applotment records for Ballycross in 1833 list an Arthur McCartan, Hannah (probably a widow), John & 2 Daniels. (That might be the 1 Daniel with 2 bits of land or two Daniels. No way of telling). No Donald. Could Donald be a mistake for Daniel?:

http://www.irishgenealogyhub.com/down/tithe-applotment-books/magherally-parish.php#.Wq9Y3xR2ug0

Ballycross is in the RC parish of Tullylish, whose records start in 1820. The RC parish records are on-line free on the National Library site:

https://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx

Griffiths Valuation for 1863 lists a Rose McCartan in Ballycross. She was the tenant of plot 34, a 10 acre farm.

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=nameS…

Generally when a woman is listed as owner of a farm, she’s a widow. So probably Donald had died before 1863.

There are other McCartans in the townland so they are probably related. Rose’s farm today is on the modern Ballycross Rd.

Rose died 25.5.1876 aged 67. The Valuation Revision records show that after her death the farm passed to Charles McCartan, and then in 1918 to Edward McCartan. The farm had originally been rented but in 1915 it had been purchased under the Land Act (ie with a Government mortgage). Edward remains owner up to 1929 when that series of records stops.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/searching-valuation-revision-books

This looks to be the farm in 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Magherally/Ballycross/1203690/

1911:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Magherally/Ballycross/203576/

Probate abstracts from the PRONI wills site:

McCarten Charles of Ballycross county Down farmer died 28 September 1915 Administration (with Will) Belfast 2 April to Edward McCartan farmer. Effects £297.

The above will is in PRONI in paper format. They will copy it for a fee. Probate was not granted till 1931 so it looks as though the son overlooked winding up his father’s estate for 16 years.

Administration of the Estate of Rose Ann McCartan late of Ballycross County Down Spinster who died 28 October 1915 granted at Belfast to Edward McCartan Farmer. She died intestate so there won’t be a will but there should be a probate file in PRONI.

McCartan Edward of Ballycross county Down farmer died 19 March 1953 Administration Belfast 12 January to William John McCartan farmer. Effects £664 14s. 10d.

Again died intestate so no will but there should be a probate file summarising his estate in PRONI.

So there were McCartans still farming there in 1953. Looking in the local phone book I see there is at least 1 McCartan in the area, though it may not be on the same property because there were about 4 in the townland in the 1901 & 1911 censuses.

It’s not our policy to give out details of living people but it shouldn’t be too difficult to trace them if that’s what you are interested in.

Thank you so much!!!