Keerie, you might find references to the event in the Abercorn papers which are held at PRONI. It is a very large collection and is well-indexed. You might even have luck in searches of the place-names and people in the PRONI e-catalogue ~Clare L. Ass't List Admin. > On Jun 27, 2015, at 9:25 PM, Kerrie Alexander via <cotyroneireland@rootsweb.com> wrote: > > Hi > > > > I have found a report in the Derry Journal of 24 February 1875 stating that > Thomas Craig of Kilstroll (Kilstrule) had his house maliciously burnt in a > fire and was awarded compensation to be levied off the parish of Ardstraw of > £173.3s for loss and damages. > > > > I have tried to find out if there was much unrest in Tyrone at that time and > I guess the answer is yes there was. Would it be possible that Ribbonmen > were responsible for the burning of the house or would it have been more > likely that perhaps evicted tenants were responsible? I’ve read that Irish > agriculture suffered a recession in the late 1870s and tenants were evicted > but the fire would seem to be too early for that. Thomas farmed 133 acres > leased from the Duke of Abercorn, quite a substantial farm with 4 cottages > plus the main house. He also held property in Glenglush, Ardstraw. > > > > Any thoughts on who may have been responsible for the fire would be welcome. >