Templecormac, Ballinderry

John Oakman lived at “Ashvale”, Templecormac, from before 1826 until his death in 1866. He was born about 1799. His mother’s name was Susan and his father may have been Robert Oakman.  Susan died in early February 1849 aged 86 years.  She was buried at Lurganteneil Graveyard, Ballinderry.

John had married Eliza Ann Johnston at Ballinderry Parish Church on 17 January 1820.

In 1833, John’s property consisted of house, offices and land covering an area of 22 acres, 0 roods, 7 perches. Part of this he rented to Robert and Thomas Pritchard.

Later land valuations reveal John acquired the nearby 14+ acre “Johnston’s Farm” – possibly inherited from his wife’s family.

John’s wife, Eliza, died in the Spring of 1850 when she was 53 years old.  She was also buried at Lurganteneil Graveyard, Ballinderry.

The 1851 Census of Ballinderry, Co.Antrim, which was taken on 17 April of that year, tells us John was a 52 year old widowed farmer. Living with him were his son William John Oakman and William’s wife Ruth (nee Higginson). The census mentions John’s mother, Susan Oakman, had died in the Spring of 1849 at the age of 85 from “Decay of Nature”.

A few year prior to his death in March 1866, John transferred his property to his son, William John Oakman.

John and his wife Eliza were buried at Templecormac Graveyard.

William John Oakman had married Ruth Higginson at Ballinderry Parish Church on 6 May 1850.  William and Ruth had six children:

• Elizabeth Ann Oakman (6 Jun 1851 – 7 Mar 1876) – married Arthur Peels in 1873
• Edward Higginson Oakman (Feb 1853 – 1 Mar 1924) – married Eliza Kenmuir in 1909
• Mary Oakman (1855 – 4 Jul 1935)
• Ruth Oakman (1857 – 24 Jan 1937) – married George Grant in 1913
• Thomas Francis Higginson Oakman (1859 – 14 Jun 1911)
• Henrietta Oakman (1862 – 4 Dec 1916)

William’s wife, Ruth, died on 13 May 1896 and William died 10 years later on 15 May 1906.  They were buried in the family plot at Templecormac Graveyard.