HAMILTON'S BAWN

HAMILTON'S BAWN, a village, in that part of the parish of MULLAGHBRACK which is in the barony of LOWER FEWS, county of ARMAGH, and province of ULSTER, 1 ¾ mile (S.) from Richhill, on the road to Market-Hill; containing 86 houses and 462 inhabitants. This district was granted by James I. to J. Hamilton, Esq., who, in 1619, built a strong bawn of lime and stone, 60 feet square, with flankers; settled 26 British families here, and armed 30 men for the king's service. The bawn was almost entirely destroyed in 1641, when great cruelties are said to have been perpetrated here. This place, which was formerly of considerable note, is the subject of a humorous poem by Dean Swift, entitled "the Grand Question debated whether Hamilton's Bawn shall be a Barrack or a Malt-House." Fairs are held on the 26th of May and November; and a court baron is held for the manor of Johnstown, on the first Monday in every month, for the recovery of debts under 40s. Here is a male and female school, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Blacker. On the hill above the town are the ruins of a castle, which, until recently, was regularly garrisoned.