The Titteringtons of Northern Ireland

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At PRONI there are records regarding the following issues: -

 

1.    On the 16th September, 1791 there is a counterpart lease for 91 years to the value of £3.10 per annum. This was to enable two  or more two storey tenements to be built on the northside of Union Street, Belfast.  The contract was between Robert Steele, mariner and Hugh Dunlap, carpenter, both of Belfast to Joseph Neilson of Belfast, carpenter. One of the witnesses was Richard Titterington. PRONI ref D556/33

 

2.   On the 27th July, 1792 there is a 90 year lease for £6.14s.4d per annum to build two or more two storey tenements on the south side Union Street, and east side of Margaret Street, Belfast.   This time the contract was between Robert Steele, gentleman and Hugh Dunlap, carpenter to Richard Titterington, of Belfast, carpenter. PRONI ref D556/41

 

3.   PRONI ref D4405/1/1/1/52, dated 24th November, 1861 is a letter from John Carse, to his brother Robert Carse.   John is in the US and Robert in Ireland.  In this letter he refers to a Mr Titterington who has a son Edward.

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Brother Robert

 

I received two papers from you yesterday and one from Sam I was very happy to hear that Mother and all was well.  You wished to know if Thomas and his young Bride called to see me since the [they] got married I wrote you in a Newspaper that I had the pleasure of seeing them both as the [they] were on there [their] way East on there Wedding Tour.  Thomas has made a Good choice Matilda Bradly [Bradley] is a fine young Woman will make a kind and affectionate Wife the [they] stopped but a few hours here as Matilda was the first sister in law I ever had the pleasure of seeing I intended making her a handsome present but having little time and not knowing what she might fancy I just Bought a Beautifull [beautiful] Ladys Pocket Book put fifty Dollars Gold in side and presented to her before she left in the train for the East I went in the train 45 miles with them I would not know Matilda as it is about ten years since I seen any of the family - the [they] had a very pleasant trip was well received by many friends in New York Philladelphia [Philadelphia] Pittsburgh and other places the [they] [called] the [they] arrived [Back] to Jeffersonville much pleased with there [their] trip and commenced housekeeping Thos [Thomas] had everything fixed up in Style I had a letter from them both lately we have a right all to be proud of a young Brother like Thomas His Superior is not in this or any other Country the Prince of Wales or any Lords son in Ireland could not get the same respect Shown to them as Thomas can the [they] could not take a pleasure trip on there [their] Wedding tour through all the Uniteded [United] States and have a free pass on every Road as Iona and his Lady Had He Has a first class pass for every Road in the Union that is Good Evidence of a Smart young Man it was by my advice that Thomas came to this country we commenced Here without money and without friends as we never troubled our Uncles Aunts and relations very much Except Spending Money to go and see them we Both Shaped our on [own] Course and Steered our own Canoe - without the assistance of any person Except the Good American Friends we made here by Good Conduct and strict Persevering in Business we Have both Spent more mony [money] in this country than ever we had the Pleasure of seeing in Ireland - every change that Thomas has made he is sure to ask my advice first I have allways [always] gave my consent as I know he is a young man of Excellent judgement as he has now got Married to a fine young Woman he will have a friend to advise with that is Smart & well educated He could not have made a better choice Many a time I told him never to Marry a yankee I am happy to say he has not forgotten his Native Land Navygation [navigation] here is drawing to a Close Business has been very Good on the Lakes this fall there is Such a demand for Grain to England I wish the War was over everything would go on as Brisk as ever if Mr Titterington calls to see you tell them that there [their] son Ewd [Edward] is well I let him go a pleasure trip on one of Mr Reeds vesells [vessels] to Canada he has some friends in Toronto I expect Him Back next week Please remember me to Mother and all our friends I wanted Thomas and Matilda to go over to Ireland and see you all I think the [they] would [Have] went but the Road he has charge of is doing an immense Business Moveing [moving] Millatory Military Company and Stores to the War as time is mony [money] in this country He did not Like to Leave a Good Salary the [they] pay him $140 per year at present the R.R [railroad] Company was so kind to allow him a month he did not like to Stop longer Please give my Respects to all enquiring friends Please write immediately and let me know all news I Remain your Brother as ever John Carse

 

The “Mr Titterington” and his son Edward mentioned towards the end of the letter are of particular interest.  It seems that they are definitely Irish origin.  Research on IGI has revealed the following: -

 

1.         The author of the letter, John, is writing to his brother Robert and mentions Sam (probably a brother).  IGI records the baptism of children of these names to a James Carse - the ‘best fit’ records seem to be the following -

 

JOHN BAP 30 APRIL, 1834, PRESBYTERIAN KILLINCHY, DOWN, IRELAND

 

ROBERT CARSE, BAP 9 MAY, 1836, PRESBYTERIAN KILLINCHY, DOWN, IRELAND

 

ROBERT CARSE, BAP 1831, PRESBYTERIAN KILLINCHY, DOWN, IRELAND

 

SAMUEL CARSE, BAP 14 DECEMBER, 1832, PRESBYTERIAN KILLINCHY, DOWN, IRELAND

 

2.         The author refers to his brother Thomas and new bride Matilda Bradley.  There is a record for the death of their son, John Bradley Carse in New York 1945, aged 80 and dob 10 September 1864 in Jeffersonville, Cook, Indiana.

 

So it seems that the author, John Carse, is Irish and is writing to his brother in Ireland.  At the time of writing he is probably about 27 years, living in Indiana and has an Edward Titterington, son of Mr Titterington,  in his employment.  One might assume that this Edward may have been born about 1840-1845, or possibly slightly earlier.  The important thing is to try to find a record for this Edward.