The Summonister Roll for County Londonderry, 1615-1670
T/808/15130
No. 16 – Londonderry G. Sessions 12 July 2 Charles I – 1626: Before Henry Vaughan, Mayor
– Richard Lea of Maghera
No. 19 – Londonderry Assizes 1 March 2 Charles I – 1626/7
– Richard Lea of Maghera
No. 22 Londonderry G. Sessions 29 January 4 Charles I -1628/9: Before Sir John Vaughan Kt. Mayor
– Richard Leagh of Maghera
No. 39 – Londonderry Assizes 10 August 15 Charles I, 1639
– Richard Lee of Garnaghan [Granaghan} in Loghensholen Barony gt
Petty Constables appointed by the Magherafelt vestry 1717-1760
1757, Robert Lees, Killyneece [Killyneese], and James Miller, Magherafelt
1759, Thomas Lee, Drumrainey, for country, and Wm. Brown for town
Ordinance Survey Memoirs
In 1834, the following names are listed as having emigrated from Maghera;
John Sturgeon, 18, from Tobberhead to Quebec
John Lee, 25, Presbyterian, from Tobberhead to Quebec
Mary Lee, 20, Presbyterian, from Tobberhead to Quebec
Robert Stone, 20, „ „ „
Jane Stone, 24 „ „ „
William Campbell, 20 „ „ „
In 1836, the following names are listed as predominating in specific townlands of Magherafelt;
In Killyneese. Bell, Bradley, Lees. York, Foster, Love and Kelly.
In Killyfaddy, Duncan, Stewart, Lees, M’Atoer.
In Dunamoney, Brown.
In Megargy, Duncan, Noghor and Can-.
Grand Lodge of of Ireland, Mason Membership Registers, 1733-1923
Lodge No. 110 Kilrea, Co. Londonderry
– James Lees, admitted 1 Jul 1887, certificate issued 19 Sep 1887
Lodge No. 122 Tamlaght O’Crilly, Kilrea , Co. Londonderry
– Oliver Lees, admitted 1 Jan 1816, lodge warrant cancelled 7 Jul 1825
Lodge No. 291 Temperance, Bellaghy, Co. Londonderry
– Andrew J. Lee, Farmer, admitted 1900, rejoined 2 Sep 1931, died 1943
– William Lee, Farmer, admitted 3 Aug 1904, certificate issued 26 Jan 1905
Lodge No. 532 Curran, Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry [Curran is actually in the parish of Maghera]
– Wm Lee, admitted 5 Jun 1795
– James Lee, admitted 1 May 1888, certificate issued 20 Jul 1888
– Andrew John Lee, admitted 5 Aug 1890, certificate issued 15 Feb 1893
– John Lees, Farmer, admitted 4 Feb 1913, certificate issued 4 Apr 1913, struck off 1927
Lodge No. 536 Bellaghy, Co. Londonderry
– Andw Lee, admitted 27 Dec 1815
Lodge No. 581 Castledawson, Co. Londonderry
– Thos. Lees, admitted 1 Mar 1807
Lodge No. 777 Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry
– Josh. Lee, admitted 14 Feb 1814, lodge warrant cancelled 4 Jul 1822
– John Lee, admitted 14 Feb 1814, lodge warrant cancelled 4 Jul 1822
– Sam Lee, admitted 14 Feb 1814, lodge warrant cancelled 4 Jul 1822
Lodge No. 778 St John’s Lodge, Carncastle, Co. Antrim
– Thomas Lees, admitted 11 Jan 1861, certificate issues 23 Jan 1861
The Loyal Orange Lodge (The Orange Order)
Bellaghy Lodge No. 169, Co. Londonderry
– Orangemen procession; William Lees, Master of Bellaghy Lodge [Londonderry Sentinel 17 July 1879]
– Orangemen procession; James Lees, Master of Bellaghy Lodge [Northern Constitution 21 July 1888]
O’Hara Purple Guards No. 310 Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry
– Samuel Lees, D.M., vice-chair at a meeting [Coleraine Constitution, 17 Apr 1897]
Carnroe Purple Heroes Lodge No. 362, Co. Londonderry
– James Lees, W.M.; Samuel Lees, secretary, election of office bearers [Northern Whig 25 September 1930]
– James Lees, W.M. Garvagh District, lodge precession at Maghera; [Mid-Ulster Mail 18 July 1931]
Star of Bethlehem R.B.P. 504, Garvagh, Co. Londonderry
– James Lees appointed convener; [Belfast Telegraph 21 February 1956]
Movenis L.O.L. 642 Garvagh, Co. Londonderry
– James Lees appointed treasurer; [Belfast Telegraph 10 September 1958]
Castleawson District Loyal Orange Lodge
– Brother Lees, District Deputy Master [Coleraine Chronicle 8 Jul 1899]
– Brother William Lee, committee member [Northern Constitution 15 Jul 1911]
The case of Thomas Lees of Magherafelt
Affray and riot at Magherafelt resulting in the murder of Edward McLoughlin on 17 Mar 1825.
One witness stated that Thomas Lees ran into the town to warn “The Ribbonmen were coming” and to prepare for them.
Another witness stated that the Ribbonmen came by the Castledawson road […] another party came in from Toome […] Thomas came running into town and said they had fired two shots after him and threatened to burn the town. Lees went forward and spoke to the Castledawson Ribbonmen. Jas. Lynch was in front and struck Lees with his fist; a great affray ensued and the Castledawson men fled […]
Belfast Commercial Chronicle 2 August 1826
Yesterday (Monday), Thomas Lees, who stood indicted for the murder of Edward McLaughlin, of Magherafelt, in March last, was transmitted to the Police Office of this town, from on board the ship Bolivar, from Quebec, where he had been apprehended by order of Lord Dalhousie, Govenor of the Canadas, under the surveillance of Doctor Barr, surgeon of said ship, bound for the port.
Belfast News Letter 29 Aug 1826
Thomas Lees was indicted for that he, on the 17th of March, in the seventh year of the King, did slay Edward McLaughlin, at Magherafelt. This man was one of many who were implicated in this crime. The others stood their trial at last Summer Assizes, and were acquitted; he forfeited his bail and fled to Quebec, whence he was sent back for trial. The witnesses against him having been called, and not, appearing, the Court ordered him to be discharged.
Belfast Commercial Chronicle 07 April 1827
8 Mar 1827-5 May 1827 – File of papers relating to request by surgeon Robert Barr MD, Maghera, for compensation, following his apprehension of Thomas Lees, wanted for murder.
Petition of surgeon Robert Barr MD, Maghera, County Londonderry [County Derry], to [Richard] Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, seeking compensation for the apprehension of Thomas Lees. Letter from Sir James Galbraith [1st Baronet], crown solicitor [of the North West circuit], Dublin, to William Gregory, Under Secretary, giving his legal opinion. States that Lees was wanted for the murder of a person named McLaughlan at Magherafelt in March 1826, but following his capture by Barr, was tried, acquitted and awarded £21 in expenses. Also copy of draft letter from Gregory to Barr, stating that no compensation can be awarded.
NAI REFERENCE: CSO/RP/1827/591, 3 items; 9pp
12 Jul 1827-23 Jul 1827 – File of papers relating to petition of Thomas Lee, Magherafelt, seeking aid to return to Quebec, where he had emigrated prior to his apprehension and arrest
Petition of Thomas Lee, Magherafelt, County Londonderry [County Derry], to Richard Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, seeking aid to return to Quebec, [Canada]. Claims he had emigrated there with his elderly parents prior to his apprehension and arrest for his part in ‘an affray’ in Magherafelt on 17 March 1826. Signed by James Wilson, Presbyterian minister, Magherafelt. Annotation on reverse giving legal opinion of Richard W Greene. Additional letter from surgeon Robert McDowell Barr, Maghera, to William Gregory, Under Secretary, outlining the case in more detail and requesting that Lee be granted compensation.
NAI REFERENCE: CSO/RP/1827/1085, 2 items; 7pp