Aghadolgan is situated on the southern border of Glenavy Parish in County Antrim. It is a very short distance south of the Glenavy Village.
Details of Oakmans found in Aghadolgan are provided below:
The 1719 Rent Roll Hertford Estate (PRONI D427 p62-2 & 220) lists William Oakeman in Aghadolgan Townland in the Parish of Glenavy.
William would have been of adult age to be holding a land lease, making his birth date sometime before 1698.
William Oakeman appears on the 1728 Rent Roll for the Hertford Estate (PRONI D427 p62-2 & 220). He is listed as renting 25 acres 2 roods 12 perches.
A survey map dated 1729 shows a piece of land in Aghadolgan, of similar size to the above, which contains the names Oakman / Lennon. The significance of two names on the map is not yet understood.
On 16 April 1741, the Right Honorable Francis Lord Baron Conway of Killultagh demised to William Oakman, Linendraper, of Glenavy, the farm and land consisting of 27 acres and 2 roods in Aghadolgan. A Memorial Deed (#87082) states this farm and land was to be held for the lives of William’s son – John Oakman – and William’s nephews – Walter and Nicholas Oakman, sons of Walter Oakman, a Linendraper of Glenavy.
William is mentioned in the Will of his father, Robert Oakman, which was proved in 1729. William had a brother, Walter, and two sisters – Ellen and Margaret. William and Walter were both linen drapers (dealers of linen) and appear to have been quite successful as they were soon to purchase nearby farms of considerable size for the times.
Also in April 1741, William paid £75 19s 4p for a 41 year lease of a farm and land in the townland of Ballydonaghy, Camlin, consisting of 144 acres and 1 rood. A Memorial Deed (#87083) states this farm and land was to be held for the lives of William’s son, William Oakman, William’s nephew Walter Oakman and neice Jane Oakman – children of his brother Walter. William’s brother was granted the lease of an adjoining property in Ballydonaghy.
In 1741 William would have been aged 43 or older.
On 2 January 1747, William paid £92 3s 10p for a 41 year lease of a farm and land in the townland of Ballyminimore, Glenavy, consisting of 212 acres 12 roods 6 perches. A Memorial Deed (#87084) states this farm and land was to be held for the lives of William’s son, John Oakman, William’s nephew Walter Oakman, and John Thompson, son of William Thompson of Antrim.
The Tithe Applotments Books record John Oakman, Aghadolgan in 1826.
A valuation map dated 1833 shows Patrick Lennon now leasing the farm and parcel of land in Aghadolgan. Interestingly this is the same surname that appeared on the previously mentioned 1729 map.
In 1841 there was a Robert Oakman living on a farm further along the same road as the above property. The lease for this farm was held by a John Thompson of Ballymacricket, Glenavy, to be held for the life of Robert Oakman. Could John Thompson be related to the John Thompson mentioned on the 1747 Memorial Deed? Were John and Robert somehow related?
An article appeared in the Belfast Newsletter on 29 January 1841:
In the matter of John Thompson, an Insolvent.
To be sold by public auction, on Monday the 15th day of February next, at the hour of two o’clock in the afternoon of the said day, at the Office of Daniel McDonnell, Solicitor, Belfast (pursuant to the resolution of the Creditors), the said Insolvent’s Interest in all that portion of Land, held under the Marquis of Hertford, from year to year, situate at Ballymacricket, near Glenavy, containing nine acres and a half, subject to the yearly rent of £10 4s 6d payable half yearly: and, also, that farm of land in Aghadalgan, also near Glenavy, held by lease, from the said Marquis of Hertford, for the life of Robert Oakman, containing twelve acres and a half, subject to the yearly rent of £14 11s 8d payable half yearly: on the latter farm are erected very comfortable Dwelling houses and suitable offices.