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Thanks for that Aghadowey
I had thought that it had probably been a home industry before then alright but wanted to be sure.
Cheers
Phil

Hi All
I have the Chelsea Military record for a William Whitlow. This record gives his date of birth as February 1828 and his parish of birth as Half Town, Hillsborough, Co Down. Would anybody familiar with the area be able to tell me if St Malachy's C.I. Hillsborough includes Halftown or is it within the Blaris (Lisburn) parish (or, indeed, if Halftown is within any other parish) and what records are available for St. Malachy's.
I also have Chelsea Military record for his brother Thomas which gives a year of birth of 1827 and a parish of birth as Blaris, Lisburn and his County of birth as Co. Down which is what leads me to think that the above William may also have been baptised in Blaris. But only a search of records will tell.
Both gave their occupation as weaver when attesting for the military in the late 1840's so may have worked for the Hillsborough Linen Co. I see PRONI hold the records of this company back to circa 1836. Would anybody be able to tell me if linen manufacture in Hillsborough predates 1836.
Thanks to all
Phil

Hi all,
I am trying to find a baptism record for an Edward Hood born 1789. He was the son of a serving soldier and he attested for the Royal Artillery in Athlone in 1801 at age 12. His attestation papers give his place of birth as Ballinderry, Co. Antrim. He served in Portugal, Spain and France during the Peninsular Wars and was demobbed in Woolwich, London in 1814 when the Napoleonic Wars ended. However, he re-attested in Lisburn in the build up to the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. So he would seem to have had a definite connection with the Lisburn/Ballinderry area. I have contacted the Churches in the Ballinderry area to no avail. I have the military record of a John Hood born Belfast circa 1765 who I believe could be his father but without a baptism record I can't tie him to Edward. Why would the son of a serving soldier be born in a rural area like Ballinderry? Could he have been baptised in Lisburn and if so can anybody tell me what records have survived for Lisburn ie. do they go back that far? He was most likely baptised in the Church of Ireland. Any pointers as to where I might go with enquiries would be much appreciated. I have hit a brick wall with this and realise I may not be able to take it any further.
Thanks to all in advance.
Phil   

Great Pastmagic.
You've really fleshed him out for me. I've had a look at the photo's from 1857 (While Robert was in Mountjoy). They are photo's of prisoners only but fascinating none the less. Strange to think that some or all of them may well have had contact with Robert.
I've ordered the Military Records for Robert Eccles (b 1790, Clones). I have previously viewed other Military Records for Robert Eccles's with no joy but one never knows. Maybe this will be the one to unlock the mystery.
Your efforts are much appreciated. I'm amazed how much I've learned from this posting.
Cheers
Phil