Vol. 1 No. 1 - 1969

Lynastown Burial Ground

by S.J.W. Cooper

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When some members of the Historical Society were carrying out research in the townland of Moyraverty, a burial ground, approximately 35 yards in length and 25 yards in breadth, and surrounded by a high wall of rubble masonry, attracted attention.

Marked on the O.S. map as Friends' Burial Ground, it is also known as the Lynastown Burial Ground. It is situated on the old Lurgan-Portadown road about 200 yards past the old Red Cow Inn, on the Lurgan side, and is approached by a pathway about 60 yards long from the roadway to the burial-ground entrance.

Interest was aroused by the fact that, while this was a Friends' Burial Ground, it was situated far from a centre where Friends worshipped. Research was initiated and some interesting features were revealed.

William Lynas of Legacorry

From the List of Friends buried here - and which is given at the end of this article - it will be seen that the earliest interment was that of William Lynas of Legacorry, in 1658.

Mark Sewyer, also of Legacorry, was interred there in the same year.

The earliest record book of the Society of Friends in Lurgan contains the following:

"William Lynas (the Elder) was convinced of truth in the beginning of its breaking forth in these parts, lived in the belief of it, received friends with a willing mind and meetings were kept at his house at ye first meetings here, obtained a good report amongst ye neighbourhood by his Christian behaviour, stood in his testimony for truth and bore reproach for Christ's sake in whom he believed and continued in ye faith untill he died and departed this life ye 22nd of 4th month in the year 1658."

Since there was no Friends' burial ground in the area, and being a Non-Conformist, it appears that William Lynas was buried in this ground, or portion of ground, which as we shall see later was granted by deed by Thomas Lynas to his friends, Ffrancis Robson and William Porter to be held "for ever for quiet enjoyment".

This Thomas Lynas was the son of William Lynas.

In the list of burials we find "bur. Monraverty", "Lyness Town", "Lynastown", and "Moyraverty".

The entry "James Marshall (60) Clan role, Co. Armagh" introduced the spelling "Monraverty" - the modern name - in 1858.

Extracts from the original deed state:

"This indenture was made the fifteenth day of the tenth month in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred seventy and three between Thomas Lynas in the townland of Monreaverty in the Manner of Carnon County of Ardmagh and borrony of Onealand east, freehoulder, on the one part and Ffrancis Robson of the townland of Tomnefecarbit, and William Porter of Lurgan in the Manner of Brownloe's Derry, Weavers -- for in the summe of ten shillings ster. .. assignee for ever ALL the percell of ground as it is now fended and about and enclosed ... now in the possession of the said Thomas Lynas."

So to the present time this small portion of ground is known as Lynastown Burial Ground.

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Interesting facts are:

1. The large number of burials under the name Christy.
2. Robert Hoope's five children were buried in Moyraverty between 1670 and 1695. He himself and the other Hoopes were buried in Lurgan. The name has still local interest - "Hoope Hill" - in Lurgan.
3. In 1679, Hanna Logan, the 5 year old daughter of Patrick Logan, and his wife were buried in Monraverty. Hanna was a sister of James Logan, who was secretary to William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania.
4. The name Kirk - still prevalent locally - had Roger's three children buried before their father's death. He rests in Lurgan graveyard.
5. Thomas and Margaret Sinton, buried two sons both called James Sinton - the first in 1761, aged 2, and the second, aged 3, died in 1766.

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The complete list of burials is appended.