The “Registry of Deeds”, held in Dublin, is a repository of records dating from 1709. This repository contains a variety of legal documents concerning land leases, marriage contracts, Wills, etc. Many of these records can provide valuable information about family relationships which may not be found elsewhere.
The Registry of Deeds contains a number of records concerning Oakmans. See below for details found to-date.
Deed #87082 — 16 April 1741
This Deed is a Memorial of a Lease between Lord Conway and William Oakman of Glenavy. It is dated 16 April 1741.
Lord Conway granted a lease of land to William Oakman, Linendraper of Glenavy Parish. The land was situated in the townland of Aghadalgon, Glenavy Parish, and was estimated to be 27 acres and two roods of English measure.
Mentioned on this lease were John Oakman (William’s son) of Glenavy Parish, Walter and Nicholas Oakman (sons of Walter Oakman, Linendraper) of Glenavy Parish.
This deed was witnessed by Walter Bowman of London, Arthur Dobbs, Esq, of Lisburn, Allan McDonnell Esq, servant of Arthur Dobbs, and James Benning, Gent, late of Lisburn.
Deed #87083 — 16 April 1741
This Deed is a Memorial of a Lease between Lord Conway and William Oakman, Linendraper, of Glenavy Parish. It is dated 16 April 1741.
For the sum of £75/19s/4p Lord Conway granted “all that and those ye farm tenemt and parcel of land called part Ballydonaghy” estimated at 144 acres and one rood English measure and now in the possession of William Oakman.
Mentioned in this deed were William Oakman (son of William Oakman) and Walter Oakman (son of Walter Oakman of ye parish of Glenavey), and Jane Oakman (daughter of Walter Oakman).
Deed #87092 — 16 April 1741
This Deed is a Memorial of a Lease between Lord Conway and Walter Oakman, Linendraper, of Glenavy Parish. It is dated 16 April 1741.
Lord Conway granted Walter Oakman land in Ballydonaghy which was estimated to be 143 acres to hold for the lives of Nicholas Oakman, John Oakman and Walter Oakman (sons of Walter Oakman) for a term of 41 years.
Deed #87093 — 2 January 1745
This Deed is a Memorial of a Lease between Lord Conway and Walter Oakman, Linendraper, of Glenavy Parish. It is dated 2 January 1745.
Lord Conway granted a lease of land to Walter Oakeman for the sum of £57/5s. The land was situated in Ballyminimore and was estimated to be 146 acres English measure. It had previously been in the possession of the executors of the late Fortescue Dogherty.
Mentioned in this Deed were Walter Oakman (son of Walter Oakman), Jane Oakman and Isabella Oakman (daughters of the aforesaid Walter Oakman).
Deed #87084 — 2 January 1745
This Deed is a Memorial of a Lease between Lord Conway and William Oakman, Linendraper, of Glenavy Parish. It is dated 2 January 1745.
Lord Conway granted a lease of land to William Oakman, Linendraper of Glenavy Parish, for the sum of £92/3s/10p. This land was situated in Ballyminimore and was estimated to be 212 acres, 3 roods and 6 perches English measure.
The land had previously been in the possession of the Executors of Fortescue Dogherty.
Mentioned in the Deed were John Oakman (son of William Oakman), Walter Oakman (son of Walter Oakman of Glenavy), John Thompson (son of William Thompson, Tanner of Antrim).
Deed #191728 — 16 September 1769
This Deed is a Memorial of Indenture of Conveyance whereby John Oakman of Aghnamillan, Killead, conveys leases of properties to his brothers Nicholas Oakman, linen draper of Ballyminimore, Glenavy and Walter Oakman, linen draper of Ballyminimore. These properties were bequeathed to them by their father (Walter Oakman). Nicholas Oakman was to receive all that part and parcel of land named “Darby’s” in Ballyminimore which included the Mill and Bleach Green. Walter Oakman (jnr) was to receive all that part and parcel of land (70 acres) called “Hurdman’s Farm” in Glenavy, Co Antrim.
Deed #298234 — 15 January 1793
This is a Memorial of Declaration between Allen McDonnell and his son Allen McDonnell, both of Ballymacreany, Parish of Aughgallen – of the first part – and Mary Oakman, Spinster of Glenavy Parish and her brother William Oakman of Killead Parish – of the second part – upon the marriage of Mary Oakman and Allen McDonnell (junior).
Allen McDonnell (the elder) granted William Oakman “all that tenement and parcel of land situate in the townland of Ballymacareany, Parish of Aghagallan and County of Antrim aforesaid as the same was lately in pofsefsion [possession] of said Allen McDonnell”, including all the goods, household furniture, stock of cattle, crop and implements of husbandry held by said Allen McDonnell, the elder, “to have and to hold the said William Oakman, his heirs and afs [assigns], in trust that said William Oakman shall offer and permit said Allen McDonnell, the elder, to hold and enjoy said premises … with all the goods and chattels therein named during his life … “.
Others mentioned in this deed include Thomas and John McDonnell of Aghagallon, farmers.