James Marmion married Jane Magenis, from Ballella, further north in the Co. Down about 30k from Kilkeel. She came from what had been quite a wealthy family. The name "Ballella" was applied to a district which contained a number of townlands, it had no definable boundary.
This family was a junior branch of the "Magenis family of Iveagh". Involvement in wars and rebellions had cost them dearly, most of their lands having been confiscated. Jane’s brother John succeeded in being elected as one of the Co. Down representatives to the Catholic Convention or the "Back Lane Parliament", as it was known, which met in Dublin in 1792. The elections for this body were conducted after Sunday Mass. At this time in most Co. Down parishes Mass was celebrated out of doors or in private houses, only a small number had churches.
The Catholic Convention sought the removal of various penal laws which operated against the Catholic interest. A petition was drawn up for submission to the King and John Magenis was one of the signatories. He was later suspected of being one of the principal leaders of the "Defender" movement. This body together with the United Irishmen were involved in the 1798 rebellion.
James Marmion took his new bride home to Mourne to reside at Lurganconary and called his house Janebrook in honour of her. Her uncle Roger, Jane’s father having died, arranged a marriage dowry of £400 and the usual marriage settlement was entered into and witnessed among others by her two brothers John and Roger Magenis.
1890s Leases in "1813 Kilmorey Rental."
Drummon(more).
Patrick Marmion
Lease dated - 1 November 1792. Term - 41 years.
Acreage: 21a.0r.27p.
Lives; Richard, William and James Marmion.
Rent - £11.12.10. Would set at (in 1813) £38.00.00
Drumcrow
Richard Marmion
Lease dated 1 Oct 1793. Term - 41 years.
Acreage: 40a.1r.10p.
Lives; Thompson, Moore and Stevenson.
Rent - £14.16.08. Would set at £55.00.00
This was the farm Richard passed on to his nephew Christopher in 1803, yet Richard’s name still on the rental.
In a later land transaction (1825) we find a Patrick and James Marmion taking a lease, in October 1793, on a Lurganconnery farm of 30a.1r.4p, for 41 years and for the lives of Charles Lewis and Peter Doran. The third life which had passed away was not named.
The James mentioned in the above lease we know to be James of "Janebrook" since he later disposed of his half share. The Patrick may have been a brother. When James sold his share (1825), Patrick was deceased as was a William who succeeded him. The farm most probably lay adjacent to the house.
The Marmion Family pages are located further down on the left. If you are intrested in your own family page, contact us.
I would like to thank Tom Cunningham for his significant contribution in uncovering our family history, without him, the above info and this page would not exist.
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