Millican, Milligan, Millikan, Milliken, Millikin, Mullican, Mulliken, Mullikin etc.
Account Books of the Downshire Estate
Specie-Ledger Books - 1742 to 1793
There are about 1000 volumes of accounts, etc., directly relating to the Downshire estate management, covering the 18th to 20th century, preserved in the Public Record Office in Belfast. These begin with the usual series of ledgers, specie books and cash books, for the Dundrum and Edenderry estates in 1707, when they were still Blundell property, for the Kilwarlin, Newry, Hilltown (Upper Iveagh) and Castlereagh estates in 1726, for the Carrickfergus estate in 1742, and for the Banbridge estate, c.1750. The Ledgers Books contain information regarding leases, whilst the Specie Books are a daily account of rents received and give the tenant’s name, townland and lease number. The Account books relating to the Manor of Castlereagh contain the earliest reference to the Millikens and Mulligans, which date from before 1750. The Millikins of Cregagh and Braniel are the main focus of this search. The Milligans of Tullyquilly and Lisnelegan are also considered and listed in the following roll.
The townlands of Cregogh (modern Cregagh) and Braniel are located in the civil parish of Knockbreda and the old manor of Castlereagh. This manor was original acquired by Moyses Hill who settled in Ireland as a landless adventurer in the train of the 1st Earl of Essex (during the reign of Elizabeth I) from Conn O’Neil; the manor was still in the possession of his descendent, Wills Hill, 1st Marquis of Downshire, in 1750. In that year, the manor consisted of the following townlands: Ballymaconaghy, Braniel, Carnamuck, Castlereagh, Cregogh, Lisnabreeny, Lisnasharragh and Slatady in the parish of Knockbreda: Ballymacbrennan, Ballycarngannon, Carr, Carryduff, Clontonakelly, Crossan, Drumra, HillHall, Legacurry, Leveroge, Lisnestrean and Lisnode in the parish of Drumbo: Crossnacreevy in the parish of Comber: Bressagh, Broadmills, Carrickmaddyroe, Carricknaveagh, Killaney and Lisbane in the parish of Killaney. Cregogh and Braniel are now suburbs of Belfast.
Only the Index of Names to the Consistorial Court of Down has survived; nearly all the original wills and administration books were destroyed in 1922. Of the few Millikens, Milligans, etc., whose wills were lodged at the Consistorial Court, the Index records that in 1774, the Court granted legal probate for the last will and testament of William Milliken of Braniel. Other than a name, an address and date of probate, nothing else has survived of the actual will. With the help of the Downshire Estate Ledger and Specie Books, it can be shown that Samuel Milliken of Cregogh succeeded William Milliken as legal heir in his 15a 2r 0p leasehold in Braniel. It is also possible to draw the inference, that Samuel was the son of William Milliken of Braniel. The Ledger Books note that in October 1779, Samuel Milliken paid the heriot fee, that is, a fine paid on the death of a tenant (holding by copy or by three-life lease), either a sum of money or the best beast or best possession. This curious custom survived from the middle ages. It arose from the tradition of the lord loaning a knight or tenant a horse or armour or weapons to fight so that when the tenant died the lord would rightfully reclaim his property. It was usually paid by the tenant’s heir on his death and in William’s case the landlord claimed ‘his best beast’, which was commuted to a money payment. This payment appears to have been made more than once, as there is a reference to another payment being made in October 1782.
William Milliken purchased his leasehold of 15 acres 2 roods in the townland of Braniel from Wills Hill, Earl of Hillsborough, in March 1746. It was taken out for the duration of three lives, namely on the life of himself, his son Andrew, and of Samuel son of William Andrews of Crossnacreevey. What is interesting, the Specie Books give the actual date the lease expired, which in effect, was the date of death of Samuel Andrews, styled of Glasdrumman (in the parish of Saintfield), on January 19, 1791. In the Protestant Dissenters (Presbyterians) lists of Petitions submitted to the Irish Parliament in October and November in 1775, the name of Andrew Milliken appears in the list of subscribers drawn from the Congregation of Drumbeg. It is more than probable Andrew was the eldest son of William Milliken, whilst Samuel could have been his second or youngest son.
Samuel Milliken of Cregagh appears to be the same Samuel Milliken who married Jean Kyle at Rosemary Street Third Presbyterian Church in Belfast on September 26, 1769. In Castlereagh Presbyterian Graveyard, the following inscription is given in a headstone.
[M.D., X, 279] This stone belongeth to Samuel Milliken of Creagoh. Here lieth the body of William Milliken who depd this life March 2d 1779 aged 4 years.
Samuel Milliken was one of the sons of Thomas Milliken of Cregagh a tenant of Wills Hill, 2nd Viscount of Hillsborough and 1st Marquis of Downshire. Thomas Milliken (surname also spelt as Mulligan) along with Edward and William Milliken appear in a list of parishioners of Knockbreda in 1763.
Samuel Milliken of Gregogh recorded the following Deed of Assignment in the Registry of Deeds in Dublin.
[Extract] A Memorial of Indented Deed of Assignment, dated13th October, 1811 between Samuel Millikin of Cregagh in the County of Down farmer of the one part and Samuel Millikin of the said townland of Cregagh, Junior, son of the said Samuel Millikin, Senior, of the other part, whereby the latter did assign and transfer to Samuel Millikin the younger and his heirs that part of the townland of Lisnabreeny containing 25 acres and one rood English measure; to hold to the said Samuel Millikin the younger during the life and lives of Samuel Millikin the Elder, Edward Millikin and Hugh Millikin his two sons and the life of the longest living of them; subject to the yearly rent of £12 and 2 shillings. Witnessed by Andrew Wilgan and Alexander Malcomson both of the County of Down farmers. Memorial witnessed by Andrew Wilgan and John Kennedy of Belfast. Registered on 27th March, 1812 in Belfast.
[Registry of Deeds: Book 642, Page 446, Memorial 444814]
The Accounts of the Kilwarlin, Castlereagh, Carrickfergus Upper Iveagh & Banbridge Estates.
Specie Book 1742 to 1748
Kilwarlin, Carrickfergus, Newry, Upper Iveagh (Castlereagh not included)
[Source: PRONI D/671/A3/1]
Ledger Book 1748 to 1749 – Kilwarlin, Castlereagh, Carrickfergus
Ballyknock - Manor of Kilwarlin
Robert Legg for 36 acres from November 1735, for 3 lives of Patrick Mullican of [blank], of said Robert and Mary his wife, living. Total rent for year £5 5s 7d.
Cregogh – Manor of Castlereagh
Thomas Mulligan for 23 acres from [blank] for lives of said Thomas, of Janet his wife and of Edward his son, all in being. No heriot. Half yearly rent £2 7s 7 1/2d.
Hugh McDowell for 49a 1r 10p, from [blank] for lives of said Hugh McDowell (deceased), of Samuel and John sons of said Hugh McDowell. Heriot £10. Rent half yearly £6 10s 4 1/2d.
Braniel – Manor of Castlereagh
William Mulligan for 15a 2r 0p from [blank] for lives of said William Mulligan, of Andrew his son, living, and of Samuel son of William Andrews of Crossnacreevey, living.
Heriot, 'his best beast'. Rent half yearly £1 11s 3d.
[Source: PRONI D/671/A1/15]
Ledger Book 1749 to 1754 – Kilwarlin, Castlereagh, Carrickfergus
Cregogh – Manor of Castlereagh
Thomas Mulligan for 23 acres from September 1742 for lives of said Thomas, of Janet his wife and of Edward his son, all in being. No heriot. Half yearly rent £2 7s 7 1/2d.
Widow McDowell for 49a 1r 10p, from March 1746 for lives of said Hugh McDowell (deceased), of Samuel and John sons of said Hugh McDowell. Heriot £10. Rent half yearly £6 10s 4 1/2d.
Braniel – Manor of Castlereagh
William Mulligan for 15a 2r 0p from March 1746 for lives of said William, of Andrew his son, living, and of Samuel son of William Andrews of Crossnacreevey, living.
Heriot, 'his best beast'. Rent half yearly £1 11s 3d.
[Source: PRONI D/671/A1/19]
Ledger Book 1749 to 1754 – Kilwarlin, Castlereagh, Carrickfergus
No changes in terms of lease or rent for Thomas Mulligan and William Mulligan.
[Source: PRONI D/671/A1/21]
Specie Book 1748 to 1754 - Kilwarlin, Upper Iveagh, Castlereagh, Carrickfergus
February 15, 1748 (49)
Thomas Mulligan, Cregogh, paid £2 7 7 ½.
William Millikin, Braniel, paid £1 11 3.
October 16, 1755
Robert & Wm. McConnell, Lisnatrean, paid £6 9 1.
[Source: PRONI D/671/A3/3]
Ledger Book 1754 to 1756 – Kilwarlin, Castlereagh, Carrickfergus, Upper Iveagh, Newry, Banbridge
Cregogh – Manor of Castlereagh
No.3: Thomas Mulligan for 23a from Sept 1742. No heriot. Half yearly rent £2 7s 7 1/2d.
Braniel – Manor of Castlereagh
No. 8: William Mulligan for 15a 2r 0p from March 1746. Heriot, his’ best beast. Rent half yearly £1 11s 3d.
Tullyquilly – Manor of Upper Iveagh
No.11: Phil McQuiggan for 17a 2r 0p May 1732 from 31 years. His’ best beast. Rent half yearly £2 11s 6 ½ d. Note at side of page: “Robert Mulligan for 3 lives”.
No reference to William Mulligan of Lisneslegan.
[Source: PRONI D/671/A1/23]
Ledger Book 1756 to 1758 – Kilwarlin, Castlereagh, Carrickfergus, Upper Iveagh, Newry, Banbridge
Cregogh – Manor of Castlereagh
No.3: Thomas Mulligan for 23a from Sept 1742. No heriot. Half yearly rent £2 7s 7 1/2d.
Braniel – Manor of Castlereagh
No. 8: William Mulligan for 15a 2r 0p from March 1746. Heriot, his’ best beast. Rent half yearly £1 11s 3d.
Tullyquilly – Manor of Upper Iveagh
No.11: Robert Mulligan for 17a 2r 0p May 1755 from 3 three lives (names not given). Heriot £1. Rent half yearly £2 12s 6 ½ d.
No reference to William Mulligan of Lisneslegan.
[Source: PRONI D/671/A1/25]
Specie Books 1753 to 1759 – Kilwarlin, Castlereagh, Carrickfergus
March 22, 1759
Thomas Mulligan, Cregogh, paid £2 7 7 ½.
Wm. Mullikin, Braniel, paid £1 11 3.
April 12, 1780
John McDowell, part of Cregogh, heritor on the death of Widow McDowell, paid £10.
John McDowell, part of Cregogh, ditto, paid £6 10 4 ½.
April 28, 1790
Wm. Mulligan, Lisneslegan, paid £6 14.
September 22, 1790
Sam Millikin & partner, Braniel, paid £4 13 9.
October 20, 1790
Wm. Mulligan, Lisneslegan, paid £6 14.
March 10, 1791
Sam Millikin, Lisnabreeny, paid £12 10 3.
March 16, 1791
Sarah Sprott, Braniel, paid £3 3 9.
April 13, 1791
Wm. Mulligan, Lisneslegan, paid £6 14.
June 25, 1791
Robert Mulligan’s Rep’, Tullyquilly, paid £5 9 7 ½.
October 26, 1791
Wm. Mulligan, Lisneslegan, paid £6 14.
[Source: PRONI D/671/A3/27]
Rental for Castlereagh Estate 1801 to 1804
Lisnabreeny:
No.32: Samuel Millikin, lease dated 1789, lives Samuel Millikin, Edward Millikin aged 35, Hugh Millikin aged 32 (name and ages of lives in being at Sept 1801) for 15a 2r 16p at £12.10.3 annually.
Carryduff:
No.14: Edward Millikin for 12a 0r 20p at £9.2.0 annually.
No.22: Edward Millikin for 6a 3r 35p at £7.19.3 annually.
[Source: PRONI D/671/R1/1]
1803 Agriculture Census, Co. Down
Parish of Knockbreda:
Samuel Milliken of Lisnabreeny – one horse, 3 cows, one heifer, 2 calves, one car.
[Source: PRONI D/654/A2/25]
Parish of Drumbo:
Edward, son of Thomas Millikain, of Carryduff – one horse, one pig, 50 stocks of oats.
[Source: PRONI D/654/A2/15]
Rental for Upper Iveagh Estate 1801 to 1804
Lisneslegan:
No.3: Robert & James Mulligan, lease from 1771 for 20a 3r 10p at £13 8s annual rent.
No. 15: Robert & James Mulligan, lease from 1772 for 18a 1r 0p at £10 9s 6d annual rent.
Tullyqilly:
No.4: Robert Mulligan for 17a 2r 8p, lease from 1755, paid £5.9.7½ in 1802.