Volume 6 1986-1987

THE LISBURN BY-ELECTION OF 21 FEBRUARY 1863

A LIST OF VOTERS

The Lisburn by-election of February 1863 was called for by the resignation of Jonathan Richardson, who had held the seat as a Conservative, since 1857. Of the two candidates, John Dougherty Barbour (son of Hilden mill owner William Barbour) was a Radical, Edwin Wingfield Verner a Tory. Lisburn itself was a staunchly Tory town. The by-election reached an all-time low in political chicanery and graft. Hilden House, the Barbour family seat, became a virtual prison camp for nine days before the election, as twenty voters were wined, dined, amused and kept in a state of perpetual intoxication, to secure their votes for Barbour. Barbour, in fact, won by six votes but was suspended and unseated in the following June, on charges of coercion and bribery of voters (note the remarks about payment to voters, which John Rea refers to in the Appendix). For information on the by-election, see J. F. Burns, 'Jigging to the fiddle at Hilden. An infamous Lisburn by-election recalled', Lisburn Historical Society Journal, vol. 5, December 1984. An article on Barbour, by the present writer, also appears in the same volume. It is not known from where this list of voters originated. It is thought, however, to have been given to the Society some years ago by J. Millar Allen, a Lisburn solicitor.

Trevor Neill

Editor's Note

John Rea, a Belfast solicitor, whose acerbic and amusing observations are appended to this list of voters, was a well-known character during the second half of the 19th century. Strongly anti-Tory, he spent considerable energy trying to break up the Conservative party in Ulster. Unstable and quarrelsome, he frittered away his ability in local squabbles and ended his life mistrusted by all political parties. He committed suicide on 17 May 1881, at the age of fifty-nine.

LIST OF VOTERS

at the LISBURN ELECTION

Held on 21st February, 1863:

WITH A FEW OBSERVATIONS THEREON

by JOHN REA

CANDIDATES:

EDWARD WINGFIELD VERNER, Esquire - Proposed by Jonathan Richardson Esq., of Glenmore, and seconded by Mr. Redmond Jefferson, of Bow Street.

JOHN DOUGHERTY BARBOUR, Esquire-Proposed by Mr. Hugh McCall, Pawnbroker, and seconded by Mr. James Mussen, Cross Row, Calico-seller.

ELECTORS WHO VOTED FOR MR. BARBOUR

1	William Chapman	Seymour Street	71	Alex Titterington	Market Square
2	Thomas Coon	do.	72	Patrick Woods	do.
3	Samuel Kennedy	do.	73	Samuel Wright	do.
4	James Kidd	do.	74	George Beattie	do.
5	Thomas Killen	do.	75	John Anderson	do.
6	James Knox	do.	76	John Bell	do.
7	JamesMillen	do.	77	George Carlisle	Piper Hill
8	James Turner	do.	78	Samuel Hall	do.
9	David Wilson	do.	79	Michael Savage	do.
10	Jas. B. Brown, Tailor,	Castle Street	80	Thomas Magee	Smithfield
11	W. S. Darkin	do.	81	Edward Savage	do.
12	John Doherty	do.	82	James Savage	do.
13	James Friars	do.	83	James Crawford	Market Lane
14	Dr. J. J. Kelso	do.	84	Robert Miller	do.
15	Dr. Samuel Musgrave	do.	85	John Brown	Bow Street
16	Mathew McCloy	do.	86	James Cairns	do.
17	Robert McConnell	do.	87	John Finlay	do.
18	Mathew J. Smyth	do.	88	George Geoghegan	do.
19	Dr. Wm. Thompson	do.	89	James A. Green	do.
20	James Turtle	do.	90	John K. Green	do.
21	George Wilson	do.	91	Rev. John Harkin	do.
22	Thos. Breathwaite Tailor,	do.	92	George Robert Hill	do.
23	Joseph Bell	Railway St	93	John King	do.
24	David Carlisle	do.	94	Timothy Loughlin	do.
25	Edward Higginson	do.	95	John Laverty	do.
26	James Mussen	do.	96	Thomas Laverty	do.
27	Henry Nugent	do.	97	Author Macrtney	do.
28	John Stevenson	do.	98	Hugh McCall	do.
29	William Williamson	do.	99	Daniel McLernon	do.
30	Rev. Mr. Bickerdith	do.	100	Robert Reid	do.
31	Arthur Atkinson	Bridge SL	101	James Rice	do.
32	Jos. Balmer	do.	102	John Rice	do.
33	Peter Convery	do.	103	Clarke Rice	do.
34	Robert Cordner	do.	104	J. J. Richardson	do.
35	Edward Donaghey	do.	105	Robert Waterhouse	do.
36	William Dunwoody	do.	106	George Wilson	do.
37	John Fitzpatrick	do.	107	Robert Wilson	do.
38	John Heaney	do.	108	William Young	do.
39	George Maxwell	do.	109	Samuel Young	do.
40	Henry McGann	do.	110	Samuel Bennett	Auto, Lane
41	Hugh McCaughey	do.	111	John Brownlee	Hillsborough Rd
42	Samuel McConnell	do.	112	William Brownlee	do.
43	Joseph McKnight	do.	113	Patrick Mulholland	do.
44	Wm. John Reynolds	do.	114	Arthur Ferris	Chapel Hill
45	Scott Hamilton	do.	115	Charles Maguire	do.
46	William Walsh	do.	116	John Orr	do.
47	Peter Walsh	do.	117	William Brady, Sen.	Longstone
48	Henry Watson	do.	118	William Brady, Jun.	do.
49	Francis Williamson	do.	119	Thomas Donaghan	do.
50	Robert Wilson	do.	120	John McDonald	do.
51	Michael Woods	do.	121	William Neill	do.
52	Wm. John Young	do.	122	John Phillips	do.
53	James Boyd	Market Square	123	Robert Barbour	do.
54	Dr. John Campbell	do.	124	Rev. Edward Kelly	Lisnagarvey
55	William Connelly	do.	125	Thomas Kennedy	do.
56	George Duncan	do.	126	Robert Kennedy	do.
57	William Remnant,	do.	127	James Barbour	Hilden
58	Russel Kennedy	do.	128	William Barbour	do.
59	Henry Major	do.	129	Robert Ardill	do.
60	Dr. Michael Meharg	do.	130	James Allister	Largymore
61	John Miller	do.	131	William Johnston	do.
62	Robert Mussen	do.	132	John Long	do.
63	David McBlain	do.	133	William John Magee	do.
64	Joseph McClure	do.	134	David Brady	Old Warren
65	Thomas McCreight	do.	135	Thomas Herrald	Back Lane
66	John McIntyre	do.	136	Thomas Dornan	Linen Hall Street
67	Lee McKinstry	do.	137	Albert Dawson	Island Mill
68	Bryson Pelan	do.	138	Samuel Shaw	Belfast
69	James Phillips	do.	138	Alexander Richardson	Lambeg
70	Mrs Savage	do.	140	Philip F. Richardson	do.

ELECTORS WHO VOTED FOR MR. VERNER

1	Thomas Dornan	Seymour Street	71	William Stevenson	Bow Street
2	Rev. H. Hodson	do.	72	George Thompson	do.
3	William Newell	do.	73	William Tumblety	do.
4	Rev. R. L. Scott	do.	74	Win. John Vaughan	do.
5	John Backas	Castle Street	75	William Corry	Antrim Lane
6	John Birney	do.	76	Arthur Johnston	do.
7	James Bolton	do.	77	James Bannister	Antrim Road
8	Moses Bullick	do.	78	James Corken	do.
9	James Ward Coulson	do.	79	George Campbell	Hillsborough Rd
10	John Cree	do.	80	William Taylor	do.
11	Rev. R. A. Devcrs	do.	81	Robert Bell	Chapel Hill
12	Edward Johnston	do.	82	John Bell	do.
13	Joshua Pim	do.	83	Richard Braithwaite	do.
14	Alexander McKinsey	do.	84	William Galloway	do.
15	Robert Thompson	do.	85	William Hanna	do.
16	Lucas Waring	do.	86	John Hermon	do.
17	John Graham	Railway Street	87	William Singleton	do.
18	Hugh Kelly	do.	88	William Dempsey	Longstone
19	Wm. John Knox	do.	89	James Lappen	do.
20	William Stuart	do.	90	James Laverty	do.
21	James Allester	Bridge Street	91	Thomas McClusky	do.
22	Alexander Downey	do.	92	William McDonald	do.
23	Andrew Johnston	do.	93	Samuel Stevenson	do.
24	Carl Klinger	do.	94	Robert Blackburn	Knockmore
25	George McCullough	do.	95	Joseph Blackburne	do.
26	Robert McCully	do.	96	*George Briggs	do.
27	James Verner	do.	97	Robert Corbitt	do.
28	Robert Willis	do.	98	ames S. Dawson	do.
29	Carlisle Wilson	do.	99	John Golden	do.
30	Samuel Young	do.	100	Joseph Gordon	do.
31	Edward Boomer	Market Square	101	George Hodgin	do.
32	William Graham	do.	102	John McBride	do.
33	John Kinghan	do.	103	Ralph Orr	do.
34	David Mack	do.	104	James Parke	do.
35	Matthew Mussen	do.	105	John Pocks	Tonagh
36	Adam McClure	do.	106	Thomas Johnston	do.
37	George McIlroy	do.	107	Robert Knuckle	do.
38	Jacob Bannister	do.	108	Francis Turner	do.
39	James Bell	do.	109	Edward Wylie	do.
40	George Bell	do.	110	James Doyle	Lisnagarvey
41	Henry Bell	Smithfield	111	Patrick Gelson	do.
42	Daniel Giant	do.	1212	John Major	do.
43	Wm. Henry Lavery	do.	113	William Wilson	do.
44	George Wilson	do.	114	David Graham**	Largymore
45	William Watson	Market Street	115	William Blackburn	do.
46	Thomas McBride	do.	116	Adam Blackburn	do.
47	Robert Munce	do.	117	Edward Hogg	Old Warren
48	Hugh Kain	do.	118	Robert McCann	do.
49	Arthur Gamble	do.	119	Charles Gribben	do.
50	John Allester	Bow Street	120	William Conn	Back Lane
51	James Allen	do.	121	Thomas McBride	Magheralave
52	Gilbert Armstrong	do.	122	William Wilson	do.
53	David Beatty	do.	123	John Pennington Sen.	Magheralave Road
54	John Belshaw	do.	124	John Pennington Jun.	do.
55	John Boomer	do.	125	Rev. Thos. Cosgrave	Lambeg Glebe
56	James Clarke	do.	126	Henry John Garrett	Warren Cottage
57	Henry Dickey	do.	127	Joseph Hull	James Street
58	Alexander Hanna	do.	128	Samuel Johnston	Johnston', Entry
59	Wm. John Harvey	do.	129	William Maule	Town View
60	Thomas Harvey	do.	130	Jonathan Richardson	Gamma,
61	Thomas Jefferson	do.	131	William H. Ward	London
62	Redmond Jefferson	do.	132	William Wilson	Ballymacross
63	John Jordan	do.	133	William Gregg	Derryvolgie
64	John Kain	do.	134	John G. Richardson	Moyallen
65	James Lappen	do.
66	Robert Lynass	do.		* See Appendix
67	Denis Munce	do.		**
68	David McNight	do.
69	Thomas R. Pelan	do.
70	Thomas Savage	do.

The following were neutral, and did not vote:

(c. Conservative; L. Liberal; R. Radical)

1c	Rev. W. Carther	Castle St.	17c	Arthur Gamble	Bow Street
2c	John McClure	do.	18c	Rev. James Johnston	do.
3c	John Richardson Sen.	do.	19c	Alexander Kerman	do.
4c	Very Rev. Dean Stannus	do.	20c	John Ruddy	do.
5c	Thomas Stannus	do.	21c	Robert Stewart	do.
6c	George Stephenson	do.	22c	Reney Bonner	do.
7c	Rev. W. E. Breakey	Railway St.	23c	James Brown	Longstone
8c	James Maze	do.	24c	Thomas Fawcett	do.
9c	Hugh Seeds	do.	25c	Robert Allister	Largymore
10c	James A. Stewart	do.	26c	Hugh Con.	Linenhall St.
11c	George Wilson	do.	27c	James McKeown	Millbrmk
12c	Wm. Tom,	Bridge St..	28c	John Owden	Brooklands
13c	Wm. B,B	do.	29c	Alex. Riddell	Belfast
14c	James Halliday	do.	30c	Jonthn. Richardson	Lambeg
15c	James Silcock	Market Sq.	31c	John Richardson	do.
16c	Wm. Coulson	do.	32c	W. T. Stannus	Manor House

LEFT TOWN

1. John Gardiner, Australia

2. Win. H. Reilly, Australia

3. John McKnight, America

DEAD

1	John Brady, Longstone	3	John Hill, Lambeg South.
2	Thomas Corry, Chapel Hill*	4	William Richardson, Belfast.

For Mr. Barbour	140
Neutral	32
Dead	4
Left town	3
Total on List	313

* JOHN BRADY & THOMAS CORRY -The two sons of Brady and Carry were carried off to Hilden, kept there for several days, and then dragged up to the poll, and made to PERSONATE THEIR DEAD FATHERS for Mr. Barbour. But Mr. Vemer's friends being aware of their intention, they were watched and detected, and their disgraceful trick upset, the oath on being put to them being a pill to hard for them to swallow. Corry was forced against his will, and will make Barbour pay smart for the trick.

APPENDIX (VOTED FOR BARBOUR)

10. JAMES B. BROWN (Tailor). - This man of TRUTH and principle KINDLY promised to Mr. Verner's friends to go out of the road and remain neutral, provided he was paid £25 for doing so. This MODEST request was refused. He was then called on by his patron the "Captain" to whom he have his hand and promise that he would NOT VOTE AT ALL for either party. But, in accordance with his well-known disposition for TELLING LIES, he afterwards broke his pledge and voted for Barbour receiving for his vote a promise of support in trade from the Hildenites, and the handsome little sum of £45 in hard cash to buy a tailor's goose, a new dress for the wife and playthings for the children. This HONOURABLE tailor, and his Br. Breathwaite, were most useful in returning the man who paid them best.

19. DR- WM. THOMPSON -Dr. Thompson made the Conservatives of Lisburn a most ungrateful return for supporting his friend Colonel Hogg, by now turning round and voting for Radical Barbour. For shame, Doctor! Shame on you! YOU'RE NO PROTESTANT.

22. THOMAS BREATHWAITE- This other tailor, so dependent on the patronage of Dandy Jim, the Cross row rotten, turn-coat, renegade Orangeman, promised to vote for Verner, stating that his Protestant PRINCIPLES would not let him support a Radical. Verner was expecting his promised vote, but like Brown, his worthy "brother chip", came cantering and prancing into the Square, like a half-made race horse, at the last hour; and having exhibited himself in public competition for a short time he was knocked down to Dandy Jim, the calicoseller, he being the highest bidder, at the moderate price of £100!!! Jim's well-known preconcerted signal being given, the tailor swallowed the bait like a hungry pike, and with the swiftness of an Arab steed he hurried to the booth, with Jim at his back, and plumbed his vote with a vengence for Barbour. Hurra for the principles of gentlemen tailors!!

26. JAMES MUSSEN - Got for his vote and doing their dirty work, the stock of Barbour & Sons, which was valued for the sum of £2,000!!!

34. ROBERT CORDNER - This unprincipled creature, who is better known as "Chitty, the Methodist Hypocrite", promised to vote for Verner, but kept the house till the last hour, when, after having HONESTLY effected a secret sale of his "stock-in-trade" at 40 per cent. over market price, and victimised Barbour & Sons, he was brought up from Bridge Street with his head among his feet, like a half-bung rebel; and while ashamed to lift his eyes lest be should be mesmerised by those of a true Vernite, he plodded His way into the Radical camp and voted for Barbour, -his nett profit for the job for body soul and vote being £450 17 6!!

This worthy Methodist hurried home to PRAY OVER IT, and was heard pouring forth these beautiful words with a fervour, which he with greatest ease can utter--`I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than dwell in the tents of wickedness." Wretched hypocritel! He had to get £75 to lift a bill out of the bank in Lisburn, before he would vote for Colonel Hogg at last election.

42. SAMUEL McCONNELL- This little scoundrel, who turned into a lathe, in his own shop, the 1000 bludgeons for Barbour', blackguards to split the heads of Mr. Verner's friends, got £100 for his vote and villany. In the evening, after the election was over, he quitely stole to Salem, got down on his knees, and prayed over it, like his hypocrite neighbour Cordner. His own sister-in-law and others who happened to be there, were disgusted with his hypocrisy, knowing as they did, the full extent of his rascality but a few hours before. He prayed away till language failed him, when at last he grew black in the face and like a conscience-stricken criminal, cried aloud -"O mercy! merry! mercy! Woe is me, for I am undone! O wretched man that I am!" He was carried home on the backs of his friends David Carlisle and ranting, canting, hypocrite Boyd. The unprincipled conduct of the latter at the last election of Hogg, is not unknown to most of the people of Lisburn. When they reached Bridge Street, and these two class-leaders sat down together, to count and laugh over tire notes of which they had plundered poor Dougherty Barbour!

53 JAMES BOYD -£611 for vote.

66 JOHN McINTYRE- Cost Barbour £100 exclusive of £30, the amount of a decree under which he was arrested on the morning of the poll.

74 GEORGE BEATTIE -£100 for open house and vote.

85 JOHN BROWN -£80 for vote to buy a horse.

88 GEORGE GEOGHEGAN -£40 for vote.

89 JAMES A. GREEN-This old sinner promised faithfully to vote for Verner stating that, if he did otherwise, the very bones of his ancestors would rise up in judgement against him! He broke his promise, however, and voted for Barbour; and he is now repenting in sackcloth and ashes, sitting alone in the Bath chair at the four of his garden. Poor old man! the bones are rising against you!

94 TIMOTHY LOUGHLIN -£75 for vote, and killing Mr. Beatty.

98 HUGH McCALL-£500 for vote, and doing all the dirty work.

100 ROBERT REID - Promised to vote for Verner. vowing that Barbour's, PRINCIPLES did not please him; but finding that Barbour's, MONEY was flowing in abundance, be got on one of his usual drunken "Sprees" hired his house to the Barbourites, had numerous midnight revelries; and after the Doctor had delivered him, and the clergy had got him out of bed again, he got for his rooms, whiskey and vote, £135!! "Well done;" says Reid. "Barbour and the Butchers for ever!"

Alas, Reid! your PRINCIPLE is your POCKET. You may soon shut up shop altogether, and take another six weeks' drunken fit under the blankets, with a gallon of whiskey between your legs. Your money-making days are gone, never more to return.

121 WILLIAM NEILL (Stewart Hill)-£75 for his vote.

122 JOHN PHILLIPS- Got £40.

123 REV. EDWARD KELLY -£100 for vote, and masses for Old Charley's soul.

131 WILLIAM JOHNSTON -f40 from "Calcraft," of Bridge End.

132 JOHN LONG-Same amount from "Calcraft."

ADDENDUM

M,CANN'S patent cannon, now well proved to be superior to the "Armstrong gun," still continues to pour shot, shell, grape and canister into the ranks of the Radical camp. There is no doubt at all that his powerful artillery will keep up a constant heavy fire, till he shall not only silence every battery of the enemy, but shall blow up John Dougherty Barbour through the roof of St. Stephen's, and scatter his ashes to the winds.

APPENDIX (VOTED FOR VERNER)

' GEORGE BRIGGS - Although INNOCENT George gave his vote al last to Verner, it is well known that he (like his friend Davy) had previously DONE THE WORK for Barbour ON THE SLY, and he says he was OFFERED £200 for his services by one of Barbour's leaders; and some of these brave, jolly fellows have lately, while inhaling the pleasant fumes of a dozen tumblers of Tom McCreight's POISON, enjoyed a hearty laugh as they exclaimed - `Well Boys, poor Barbour paid dear for the roast, for £200 and nothing less, was canny George's price". But of course SOFT and SIMPLE George could not think of accepting such a tempting offer, so easily earned, and so seldom to be caught; and at once- while blushing like a young bride at the altar, with one of his naturally child-like smiles, a significant look, and a little nod of the head-he begged to be excused if he declined accepting such a handsome and valuable gift; he hoped that in doing so he did not offend Mr. Barbour's friend, and politely refused it! To be sure he did. "Well done", says George. `Hurra! hurra! hurra! "Verner for ever," but I'll put Barbour into Parliament!

"Oh Johnny, my darling! you kissed my own cosey wife,
And shoved my £200 down her we (sic) diddy-house".

** DAVID GRAHAM - This TRUE BLUE ORANGEMAN, but better known as "Calcraft," came out strong at once, and in the house of his friend Young, in Bridge Street, at eleven o'clock on a Saturday night, declared his LOYAL principles in good style, having first drowned his Orange colours in a tumbler of Sam's good brandy, his favourite beverage. Being primed and loaded, he then fired off, avowing himself a true Barbourite; that he would support Barbour as far as in his power; that it was the duty of every one to support him, no matter about his principles; that he would get him ten votes for every one of Verner's, who, he vowed, would be beaten by a large majority; that the present Government should be overturned, and Barbour sent to Parliament .

Having so far displayed his LOYALTY to the Protestant cause, his brother W. J. Wilson took him up warmly, and accused him of want of principle, and inconsistency as an Orangeman, and being a traitor to the cause he had been pretending to serve; and like a real true blue, defended the Protestant cause.

Davy could not any longer stand Wilson's fire, and took to his heels, through Sam's back door into the yard, attempting to climb over a shed and reach the graveyard by scaling the wall. However, he soon returned back, pale as death, and out of breath, giving unmistakeable evidence of having met the ghost of some departed one, whose repose in the tomb had been disturbed by the rattle of Davy's PRAYER-BOOK on his grave-being the well-thumbed PACK OF CARDS, which were exhibited at head-quarters. Orange Sam, or "no surrender," then came to his relief, and permitted his departure by another route, and he flew to Bridge-end in grief.

Having been so useful in procuring the return of his radical favourite to Parliament, he boasted to his friend James Long that he could sport £100 of Barbour's money, which he had for eight or ten days in his pocket: but that as second thoughts were sometimes best, he had quietly handed it to Robert Kennedy, a near friend of his own candidate, to keep for him till after the investigations should be over at head-quarters, saying that he did not care a farthing, should he only "get a hearing" so that he might swear himself innocent of having any of Barbour's money. In this, however, he was doomed to be disappointed; for Protestant McCann's never-failing artillery, which he brought to bear on Davy, was too powerful. The battle was soon fought and the victory won; and Davy's "prayer-book" sent off to the Royal Museum in London, no longer to be allowed disturb the ashes of the departed saints.