Thomas Conley (1872 - 1953)

Born 31 Jul 1872 in Aghadowey District , Coleraine, Londonderry, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Jane (Allen) Conley — married 12 Oct 1897 in (Englishtown) Macosquin Presbyterian Church Coolyvenny Road

Descendants

Died 22 Apr 1953 at age 80 in Cullyvenny, Castleroe, Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Tim Harbinson [send private message]

Biography

Tom Conley was born in Ireland.

Tom was a Protestant With Ulster ancestors.

Following a brief illness, the death took place on Saturday last at his residence Cullyvenny, Castleroe, Coleraine, of Mr Thomas Conley. ^[1]

Mr Conley, who was aged 81 years, was a well-known and much respected figure and by his death the Orange Institution has lost a stalwart with sixty-one years in full membership. He was initiated in the former Killure Orange Lodge No 212 which was later transferred to Castleroe L.O.L 212. He held the position of Worshipful Master for many years.

A lover of the Pipes and an accomplished player, he was one of the foundation members of Agivey Pipe Band when it was formed about thirty years ago and continued in active active association with it until recently. For a long period he was Band Instructor, a service which he also performed for Garvagh Pipe Band when it was formed twenty-six years ago.

An authority on pipe band music, Mr Conley's advice was often sought and readily given. He was also a valued member of Agivey RBP No 843 .

His wife died in 1943 and he survived by three sons - Messrs. John Conley, Garvagh; Samuel Conley, Ballylintagh, Coleraine; Robert, Portrush; and two daughters Mrs M. Harbinson, Canada and Mrs E. McKee, Cullyvenny.

The attendance at the funeral on Sunday afternoon to Macosquin Presbyterian Churchyard was large and representative of all sections of the community, including many members of the Orange and Black Institutions and band associates.

The services in the home and at the graveside were conducted by Rev. B.H.S Liddell, M.A., Coleraine. There were many beautiful floral tributes.

The Conley’s had had to move to Ireland, when their Crofter-land was taken over by the sheep farmers. Scottish Tom Conley. took his precious music instruments along, and started the first pipe band in Northern Ireland, the Conley Pipers, ^[2]

Great grandfather Tom Conley started the Agivey Pipe Band, he was an Orangeman. He had two sons Johnny and Samuel and a daughter Liz, who had a son killed in the Second World War, his name was Tommy. Johnny had a daughter Ann who wrote the poem about her cousin John Conley who was killed in Garvagh in 1974 by an I.R.A. bomb. John was a member of the Englishtown B Specials Platoon based at Macosquin were disbanded in 1970 In 1971 he joined U.D.R. Garvagh Detachment. Sam Conley had two sons Jim and John. Jim was in the Agivey Pipe Band and then he went to Australia and John was killed in Garvagh. Tom Conley was the first Pipe Major in Garavgh Pipe Band and his son Johnny had a shop which sold electric goods. Sam and Johnny Conley had a uncle Fifer. Fifer had a son John who was in the Agivey pipe Band. Sam Conley also had great grandchildren and a great great grandson’s who followed him in the love for God and Ulster.

Sylvia Harte – Blackhill Band, Garavgh.

Uel Harte – Movenis Band, Garavgh and also a Orangeman, Apprentice Boy and Blackman.

Arnold - McCleary Articlave Flute Band

Great Great Grandson’s Jason Harte - LOL No 735 - Invincible True Blues (Coleraine District No 2 LOL)

William McCluney - LOL No 735 - Invincible True Blues (Coleraine District No 2 LOL), Mitchelburne Apprentice Boy of Derry (Killowen Branch), Blackman RBP No 37 Knights Of The Bann and a Lambeg Drummer.

Born July 31, 1872 in McLary, County Derry, NI.

Tom had a big harvesting machine he used to do other people's harvesting.

He also had a bicycle shop. I have a large kilt pin that he made using a red deflector surrounded by etched copper. I can't find my camera to take a picture to send to you, but maybe I can figure out how to do it on my IPad.

Tom was small in statue, but they had two sons, Sammy and Robert over 6 feet tall. The other son John was 5' 8". His daughters, Lizzie and Mary were small in statue. Thomas had a dry sense of humour.

Tom and Jeannie Allen married October 12, 1897 at Macousquin Presbyterian Church - married by Rev. Frederick Torrens. Thomas died August 26, 1953.

The 1901 Census shows Tom living in a house 12 in Spittle Hill (Knockantern, Londonderry) with his wife Jane, Children; Mary & John, and mother-in-law Sarah. ^[3]

Research Notes

Disputed Origins

Sources

1. ↑ Obituary, Coleraine Chronicle
2. ↑ As reported in the September 1977 edition of the Sherbrook Record, by Mrs. M E Murray, from conversations Friday September 2, 1977 through Sunday September 4, 1977 with Mrs. Mary Harbinson, Mrs. Annie Conley and Mrs. Josephine Ussher. In an article entitled “Birchton Family Reunion”.
3. ↑ http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000603417/

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Record Type Civil Birth Date of Birth 31 Jul 1872 Name Thomas CONLEY Gender M Fathers Name John CONLEY Mothers Forenames Mary Mothers Maiden Name BRADLEY Civil District Coleraine Sub District Aghadowey County Londonderry

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Tim Harbinson for starting this profile.