IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Bentra Road, CARRICKFERGUS, BT38 9HN

See Image A close look at the unusaual name. To the best of my knowledge “Loggan” is a name originating in Ayshire and is a variation of the more common “Logan”.

See Image I picked this one, not because of the deceased’s longevity but to show how well it has lasted after 236 years and to illustrate the quality and style of inscription common in the late 18th century.

A headstone, with well-carved and very stylish lettering. It reads “Erected by James Loggan in remembrance of Janet Sumeral otherwise Loggan who departed this life the 16th September 1795 Age 42 years also her daughter Jane aged 3 years”. Image shows a close view of the name.

There are many interesting old headstones in the graveyard. This one records the death of Thomas McCleery, on 20 December 1776, at the age of 84 – a remarkable example of longevity for the time. I cannot find any specific statistics for the period but this source http://www.localhistories.org/life.html has this information “Things improved in the 18th century in Britain. Life expectancy at birth rose to about 40 by the late 18th century. Nobody is sure why. Plague died out, which must have helped. (The last outbreak of plague in Western Europe was in Marseilles in 1720). Furthermore in the 18th century eating potatoes became common, which probably improved nutrition. Improvements in 18th century agriculture may also have helped”. Image shows part of the inscription.

Part of the small graveyard, overlooking Larne Lough and Islandmagee.

The eastern side of the ruins of the church. Now minus the ivy and much improved since last seen almost five years ago Image

The inside of the ruin showing some of the graves. Burial inside an old church is a practice common to all denominations.

A cast-iron headstone made by the Millfield Foundry, Belfast Image Quite difficult to decipher in the photograph but the original reads “Family burying ground of Stewart M Caw. In memory of his daughter Susanna who died April 1860 aged 14 years”.

See Image The almost illegible and lichen-covered inscription on the back showing that it was made by the Millfield Foundry, Belfast.

See Image The plaque in its setting with the ruins of Templecorran old church in the background.