Wilson Proctor

[Bo]

Hi all 

I can't find a burial site for Wilson Proctor who died Belfast 1887 and who possibly lived east Belfast. 

I also can't find a burial site for his wife Theresa Proctor - she may have died c 1896 but I can't be certain.  Again, she may have lived east Belfast. I don't know their religious affiliation but they don't seem to be in the City Cemetery and, apart from Milltown Cemetery, can't think where they may be.  Many thanks    I

[TheWhuttle]

Hi Bo,

Had a quick look at the 19thC Belfast Newsletter 1828-1900.

Nothing found for "theresa proctor".
Found no notice for a funeral of a "wilson proctor".

Did find a report of a trial at the Belfast Petty Sessions (Fri 18-AUG-1848) of a WP (aged about 20) in a serious incident involving his cousin John PROCTOR at Ballyhackamore.

WP was committed for trial at the next Down Quarter Sessions.

Ref: The Belfast News-Letter, Tuesday, August 22, 1848; Issue 11485
Ref: The Belfast News-Letter, Tuesday, August 15, 1848; Issue 11483


(If this is him, then) This might give some clue as to where the family grave might lie.

[By law, up till 1870 at least (when the CoI was disestablished), everyone was entitled to be buried in the graveyard of the "place" (aka CoI Parish) where they were born or where they died.  Many burials in well-established family plots continued after this date.]

Capt. Jock

[Bo]

o wow, thank you cap'n jock ...I'm intrigued now    This is something I really must follow up if I can !!

I believe WP lived about Ballyhackamore c1864 as a daughter was born to him and his wife in that area. (The child died following year  )  Later daughters were born Ballyrushboy, Knockbreda.  One daughter married in Willowfield Church 1888 and living at Morelands Row...I'm assuming Wilson lived there the previous year when he died.  I've found a coroner's report and death certificate for him...just no record of where he is buried.

If he was born Ballyhackamore c 1821 or thereabouts, where would the 'local' graveyard have been in 1887 when he died   I've heard of an old graveyard on the Newtownards Road (now gone)...does anyone know if records exist for it ? 

Thank you again CJ, I'm really going to try and follow that lead of a trial 

[Bo]

Hi again, out of curiosity, why was this post moved from DOWN to ANTRIM?  I thought east Belfast was in DOWN? 

[aghadowey]

All Belfast queries are kept on ANTRIM board.

[TheWhuttle]

Hi again Bo,

Best of luck with tracking down the records of the Quarter Sessions trial.

From my (Co. Antrim) researches, dating from around the same time, it could well prove very worthwhile - both for uncovering extensive anecdotal family information (which you'd never have got from normal records), and for edification on the societal ethos of the times!

----
There was nothing more on WP in the Belfast Newsletter.

You might have to chase alternative offline historical repositories of newspaper resources.
[e.g. "The Down Recorder", or "The Belfast Telegraph".]

A good trawl of PRONI should also be on your cards.

----
You can hunt down graveyards, as catalogued by the UHF online:
http://www.historyfromheadstones.com/index.php?antrim
http://www.historyfromheadstones.com/index.php?down

There is a light smattering of PROCTORs there.
Such might indicate earlier origins.

----
Willowfield church is affiliated to the CoI.
http://www.downanddromore.org/parishes?list&deanery=lagan

Wilson's daughter getting married there could be an indication of her parents' religious persuasion - though she might have adopted that of her new husband.
[By this time (1888) it was no longer necessary for Dissenters to marry in a CoI church (usually in a subsequent ceremony after one in their own church) in order to maintain the full state-recognised legal legitimacy of their offspring and entitlement to own/transfer property.]

----
An Annie PROCTOR is recorded as being baptised on 23-OCT-1869.
Father: Wilson PROCTOR; Mother: Theresa HANLON.
Parish was Knockbreda.

A James PROCTOR is recorded as being baptised on 05-MAY-1872.
Father: John PROCTOR; Mother: Mary JAMIESON.
Parish was Knockbreda.

Ref: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/SURNAMES/P/PrPy.htm

Looks like the graveyard for this parish  should be your first port of call!
[Lots of posh neighbours there e.g. Waddell CUNNINGHAM.]


However, there might be a fly in the ointment.
The Krockbreckan RP graveyard (in which a Dr. William PROCTOR was buried on 27-JUL-1895) could also be worth investigating.
[This is a "denominational" graveyard.
 RP = Reformed Presbyterian, aka "Covenanter".]

----

Best of luck yet again!

Capt. Jock

[BallyaltikilliganG]

just in case The 1843 directory http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk has
Proctor, James, Weaver, 5 Lodge Road.
I think Lodge road referred too, is by 1880 LODGE ROAD, OLD
Peter's Hill to Glentilt Street
In 1852 I couldn’t find a Lodge Road later it runs to the Crumlin Rd, Using Griffiths valuation see http://www.askaboutireland.ie and find the Griffiths section, there are two Proctors in Co Down
1860 25 Club Row Lane Ballymacarret Edward Proctor and David Hull suggests a business with map reference
1860 Laganbridge road, Ballymacarret John Proctor with map reference At the PRONI website and online there are the further changes to valuation which might show family connections