Kidd family of Rockfield, Dundrum and Castlewellan
Abraham Kidd married Ann Dowker Woodall born circa 1817 28 Jun 1870 born circa 1838 died 12 Mar 1892 Antrim died 20 Oct 1890 Ballymena, Co Antrim Ballymena, Co Antrim Abraham Kidd born circa 1817 son of Anthony Kidd of Lisnaskea, Fermanagh (1791-1867). He qualified as a physician from the University of Aberdeen and was a physician at the Fever Hospital and the Workhouse at Ballymena. His uncle Dr John Kidd of the Royal Navy died in Melbourne aged 46 on 1 Feb 1852 having served in China, New Zealand, and other countries for a period of twenty-one years, and who had lately been appointed quarantine medical officer at Melbourne. Abraham an MD of Ballymena married Ann Dowker Woodall on 28 Jun 1870 at the parish church of Ahoghill on the 28 Jun 1870. Anne was the only daughter of the late Thomas Dowker Woodall of Scarborough, Yorkshire. Ann died at Cooleen, Ballymena on 20 Oct 1890. Abraham died on 12 Mar 1892 at Cooleen, Ballymena from typus and left 8K in personal estate. His younger brother John, a farmer died at Crogey in 1901 survived by two sons; Andrew & William. 1 John Dowker Rowan (Johnnie) Kidd, born circa 1876 only son of Abraham Kidd MD, FRCSI. He took Holy orders. John of Cooleen, Ballymena, Co Antrim, and Rockfield, Dundrum, Co Dublin married Olive Marion Ogilvie on 31 Aug 1897 at St Stephen’s Church, Dublin. Olive was the third daughter of Charles Ogilvie Grandison of 9, Northumberland Road, Dublin and his wife Sarah Sophia Chapman Taylor. Olive was a pianist and a violinist and her father was a professor of music. They lived at Rockfield, Dundrum from 1897 until 1901 when John graduated. Olive’s mother died suddenly when her parents were visiting them in 1901. John was a curate of Down, Downpatrick from 1900 to 1903 and Chancellor’s Vicar in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin from 1903 to 1906. In 1906 John was appointed Rector of St Paul’s, Castlewellan and was incumbent until his death. He and Olive immersed themselves in parish life helping with fundraising, concerts bazaars and choral festivals. In 1913 John & Olive were presented with silver plate by the parishioners of Castlewellan in recognition of their hard work for the parish, Olive was also presented with a bracelet gold watch. John became ill in 1914 and by February 1915 he was advised by his doctors to take six months rest. He was made Rural Dean of Kilmegan in 1932. John died 11 Mar 1941 and was buried at St Paul’s. A memorial widow and mural tablet were installed and dedicated to John by the parishioners at St Paul’s Church in 1943. Olive died 3 Feb 1964 and was buried with her husband. 1 Charles Ernest Basil Dowker (Basil) Kidd born 12 Dec 1904 at 30 Rathgar Road. He was an assistent master at Yorke House School, Birmingham and Marlborough House School in Hawkhurst in Kent. He set up Ormisdale Private School for boys at Glastonbury Avenue, Antrim Road, Belfast in 1933. He married Phyllis Marion Swan on 3 Jan 1935 at St Mary’s Church, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Phyllis was the daughter of C R Swan of Leamington Spa. Ormisdale school was evacuated to Castlewellan during the war years. Charles and Phyllis worked at Emscote Lawn School for 18 years. He was geography and English master and had a great interest in rugby. He died on 5 Oct 1965 at Glasshouse Lane Kenilworth. 2 John Kidd (twin) born 15 Sep 1908 at Castlewellan died the following day. 3 Cecil Dowker Kidd born 15 Sep 1908 at Castlewellan. He married Ianthe Beatrice Dalway Turnbull in July 1930 and had issue. Ianthe was a musician and composer and an arranger of nursery rhymes. Cecil played trumpet and was a member of the BBC Northern Ireland Orchestra. Ianthe died 24 Dec 1868 and Cecil died 20 Dec 1978 late of Shortlands, Heyes Lane, Alderley. © June Bow & Karen Poff - October 2022 Return to Rockfield House page |