Transcribed, Compiled and Submitted by
Sebastian Graham
sebastiangraham58[at]gmail.com

The yeomanry were a militia force set up in the 1790’s to protect the land from invasion and used as a local defence. In Ulster, yeomanry were recruited from all sections of society but remained a mainly Protestant force under local landowners. This is confirmed in the following records. The Cookstown Cavalry was established in 1796/97 by James Stewart (Killymoon) and William Richardson (Drum Manor). Similarly, other yeomanry had aristocratic beginnings such as Loughry under the Lindsay family and Lissan under the Staples.

There were difficulties in transcribing accurately the song about the Cookstown yeomanry. The handwriting was very difficult to read but I kept it to what made sense without altering the source. In regards to the names on the Muster Roll there are a few names that were difficult to translate and I have put “???” to indicate this. Records may exist to provide the full name and if so then it would be appreciated to email the web master to update the record.

Song about the Cookstown Yeomanry - D3167/2/129 - 1796

Preamble, The Cookstown Yeoman being resolved to prove how much their captain merited their love, had lately offered them a handsome sword which was received with many gracious words – now agreed – this true and loyal band that they w…shew their second in command the dis some favour at their stand… And to present their gift, all in one voice on young Squire William Stewart fixed their choice.”

(The Grinder)

William went out to parade

They could not have found a more apt on

And then an oration he made

S Richardson their second captain

The years ye see my dear boy

Do hold you in great estimation

And they to my any great joy

Chuse one to present their donation. (Jerry x)

We hope you are pleased with the sight

Tis so like yeomanry – a carry Baize me

Well tempered x polished x Bright

(ooh!, some shoot me but now im moneaisy) (Jerry x)

If ever we must with our foes,

Wherever a chance for to find them,

We’re same that you’ll lend on the years,

And give them a __ of a Grinding __ (Jerry)

Muster Roll of the Cookstown Cavalry and Loughrey Infantry

Source: The Official Papers 1791-1831 (Dublin State Paper Office). - T808/15242

Some of the abbreviations used in the Muster Roll are: -

Lt – (Lieutenant); Per sgt - (Permanent Sergeant); Capt – (Captain); Serg – (Sergeant)

Cookstown Cavalry – April 1797 –

Privates Andrew Rutherford, Henry Wallace? Alexander Richardson, James Fleming, Robert Rutherford, James Kidd, William Fleming, Henry Madden, John Buchanan, John Caldwell, Sam Brown, Pat Woods, William Magill, Sam Taylor, In Cavalry Robert Cluff, Robert Irwin, Henry Stewart, John W Caldon, Thomas Blair, John Perry, Robert …, Thomas Blackwood, Thomas Moorhead, Smith Sloan, Peter Potter, John Hagan, Thomas McCausland, James Hays, Edward Patterson, David Parke, James Little, Thomas Boyce, John Dennison, William Rainey, Nathanial Marshal, William W Cou???

Cookstown Cavalry – February, April, June, November 1797

Feb 1797 – William Richardson, Theodore Bailie, John Taylor

Privates – William Magill, Alex Richardson, John Taylor, Andrew Rutherford, Henry Watson, Josias Fleming, Nethanial Marshall, John McCleesh, John Kidd, William Fleming, Henry Madden, John Buchanan, John Caldwell, Sam Brown, Pat Woods, Sam Taylor, John Gourley, Robert Cluff, Robert Irwin, William Ramsey, Henry Stewart, John W Caldon, William McCormick, Thomas Blair, John Perry, Thomas Moorhead, Alexander Hagan, Thomas Blackwood

77 names in April 37 mounted 40 dismounted

77 names in June 37 mounted 40 dismounted

75 names in November 35 mounted 40 dismounted.

Cookstown Cavalry – Muster Roll for March 1797

Prepared by Theodore Bailie Lt (Lieutenant), G Taylor Lt (Lieutenant), John Taylor Per sgt (permanent sergeant) – Privates – George Taylor, Andrew Rutherford, Henry Watson, Alexander Richardson, Josias Fleming, Robert Rutherford, Nathanial Marshal, John Kidd, William Fleming, Henry Madden, John Buchanan, John Caldwell, Sam Brown, Pat Woods, William Magill, Sam Taylor, John Gourley, Robert Cluff, Robert Irwin, William Ramsey, Henry Stewart, John W Caldon, William McCormick, Thomas Blair, John Perry, Thomas Moorhead, Alexander Hagan, Thomas Blackwood, Smith Sloan, Peter Potter, James Hagan, Thomas McCauseland, James Hays, Edward Patterspn, David Park, William McCauseland, Robert McCauseland, Sam Beats, John Aughtrim?, Thomas Richardson, ??? Harris, Sam Purvis, John Moorhead, James McCauseland, Brian Blair

Cookstown Cavalry October 1797 Muster Roll

H Richardson, Lt Theodore Bailie, Lt G Taylor, Lt John Taylor, Per sergt William McCormick, sergt William Fleming, sergt Alexander Richardson, sergt John Watson

Privates – William Stewart, Andrew Rutherford, Henry Watson, Josias Fleming, Robert Rutherford, John Kidd, Henry Madden, John Buchanen, John Caldwell, Sam Brown, Pat Woods, William Magill, Sam Taylor, John Gourley, Robert Cluff, Robert Irwin, Henry Stewart, John Caddon, Thomas Blaire, John Perry, Thomas Moorhead, Alexander Hays, Thomas Blackwood, Peter Potter, John Hagan, Thomas McCausland, John Hays, Edward Patterson, David Park,, Thomas Boyd, John Little, John Dennisson??, John McCartier??, Stephen Oliver, William Sturgeon, Brian Blair, John Aughereran??, William Adams, Sam Bates, William Black, John Blair, James Bryson, William Cluff, James Davies???, William Eakin???, John Gardner, P Harris, John Harris, Thomas Harvey, John Huchinson???, Robert Henry

Cookstown Cavalry October 1797

James Harkness, William Kennedy, William McCauseland, James McCauseland, John McCauseland, Robert McCauseland, Robert McCourt???, ??? McCourt???, John Oswell, James Moorhead, james McCullan, Thomas Norriss, William Oliver, Sam Purvis, Slim??? Purvis, John Palmer, William Roberts, Thomas Richardson, Edward Somewall???, James Stewart, John Taylor, Hugh Wilson, John Banks, Robert Ferguson, Dan Doneylass???,

Lissan Infantry January 1797

John Staples capt, John Smith sergt, john Jackson, Matthew Newfoules??? Sergt, Michael Caulfield drummer,

Privates – Peter McGarvy, Edward McIlhome, James Whuson???, Thomas Kent, Thomas Hutchinson, William Norriss, Thomas Collins, William Beatty, Neal Devlin, John Crooks, Robert Hopkins, John Crooks, Robert Reynolds, Josiah Neil, John Brown, Robert Patrick, James Hopkins, Nathanial Bole, Francis Neal, Adam Gourley, Arthur Devlin, Charles Malon, Pat McCann, James Kent, John Glass, Henry Hall, Hugh McAdoo, James Cotton, William McCane, William Connolly, Robert Kennedy, William Love, James Jackson, James Mahon, John Mulgrew, Dan McIver, James Collins, James Colter, John Fowler, James Dillon, Bernard McCann, Pat Boy, Bernanrd Devlin, William Williams, Thomas Montgomery, Michael Mulf???, Owen Corr, Michael Haughey, John Anderson, John Oliver, Bernanrd Fullen, Pat Kelly, Francis Black, John Dennis, Robert Collins, Thomas Mulgrew, Hugh Cumny???, James Quin, Edward Graham, James McCord, Pat Quin, Thomas Tyold???, John Reynolds, David Kennedy, Richard Hall, John Connolly, ??? Neilson, Robert ???, Edward Tayne???, Andrew McIlree

70 men Thomas Staples Lt and James Magill Lt

Loughry Infantry Buttons

Loughry Infantry May 1797

Robert Lindsay capt, John Lindsay Lt, John Sandels per sergt, John Collyn??? Drummer, Robert Irwin, James Wns??, Arthur S???, Robert Wns???, John Lindsay, David McCrea, Andrew McCay, Joseph Hart, Robert Best, John Verner, James Dennis???, Peter Dennister???, John Forest, William Howard, Thomas Watson, David Lindsay, Ben Lindsay, Andrew Anderson, Robert Anderson, Thomas Griffin, John Cunningham, Henry McCourt, James Smith, Robert Young, Henry McArdell, James McNeish, James McGaghey, John Anderson, James McCartney, Michael McClaine???, James Beatty, Sam Jones, John Young, Alexander Alexander, James Mullen, Michael Ferguson, Ben Turner, George Turner, Joseph Hart, James Dennister???, sergt Robert Wns???