Cemetery: Derry Cathedral Burial-ground Memorials (by Crookshank) *********************************************** Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Derry Index Copyright ************************************************ Contributed by Maribeth Nolan CEMETERY: DERRY CATHEDRAL BURIAL-GROUND MEMORIALS [From Major R. R. G. CROOKSHANK.] -136- The undermentioned tombstone stood in the churchyard of Derry Cathedral, close to the great window, but was, I believe, with others, built over when the chancel was restored by the late Dean of Derry -- Dr. Smyly -- which should not have been allowed at the time. 'The name of CROOKSHANK was closely connected with the Siege of Derry; and No. 2 window, in the Memorial Hall, Derry, is to one of the family -- WILLIAM CROOKSHANK': -- Alderman JOHN CROOKSHANK of This City. Died the 23rd of January 1704 Aged 65 years. Also the body of JOHN and ROBERT sons to Alderman GEORGE CROOKSHANK and MARY his wife. Who Departed this Life the Day of Jany 1744 Aged 55 years ELIZABETH CROOKSHANK Alias PITT Departed this life _0th of March 1762 Aged 96 years. Also the Body of ANNE CROOKSHANK Her daughter who Died February 13th 1765, Aged 65 years. 'The Alderman JOHN CROOKSHANK mentioned in the inscription was the Captain of the Train of Artillery during the Siege of 1688, and husband to the ELIZABETH PITT subsequently mentioned, who was of the same family as the extinct peerages of Chatham, Londonderry, Camelford, and Rivers, being descended from JOHN PITT (who settled in Ireland), second son of JOHN PITT, Clerk of the Exchequer temp. Queen Elizabeth. Alderman GEORGE CROOKSHANK was son to this JOHN and ELIZABETH CROOKSHANK; and his wife MARY was daughter of Captain ROBERT BACON, Alderman of Coleraine, and sister of Archdeacon BENJAMIN BACON, D.D., of Tamlaghtard. The granddaughter of GEORGE and MARY CROOKSHANK -- ESTHER KENNEDY -- married ALEXANDER CROOKSHANK, B.L., M.P., for Belfast, 1776-83, and afterwards one of the Justices of the Common Pleas in Ireland, 1784-1800.' SOURCE: Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland. Vol vii, FHL# 1279254