The Ferguson Mausoleum, Carmavy Graveyard, Carmavy Road, Nutts Corner, Crumlin, Co Antrim

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A circular single-storey stone mausoleum with conical stone roof built of basalt rubble and field stones. Entrance faces south.

Smeared cement pointing to walls; slightly projecting eaves course; some tufts of grass growing out of stone roof. Entrance consists of a segmental arched opening with rough stone voussoirs and slightly splayed reveals, containing a spiked iron gate up one step to a raised floor area.

SETTING: The building stands in a walled graveyard (HB20/13/020D) which is located in a very rural area. It is sited approximately on an east to west axis with two other mausolea (HB20/13/020A and C) and stands between them, surrounded by grass.

Historical information

Built by Samuel Ferguson of Bellyhill in memory of various members of his family; precise date not known but probably in 1817 or shortly afterwards. Those commemorated at the time the vault was built were Ferguson's grandfather, Samuel Carson who died in 1775; his mother, Agnes Ferguson who died in 1814; his wife, Jane Ferguson who died in 1817; and his daughter Margaret Ferguson who died in 1815. Also commemorated is Grace Elizabeth Drennan who died in 1974; mausoleum repaired by the executors of her estate in 1975.
The mausoleum is plot no. 251 in the graveyard register.
The graveyard itself is an historic monument, no. ANT55:47.

References – Primary Sources
1. OS Map 1832-3, Co Antrim 55.
2. Inscribed plaques in interior.
3. Information from secretary of the graveyard committee in 2000.
Secondary Sources
1. UAHS, West Antrim (Belfast, 1970), p 12.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

B. Proportion
D. Plan Form
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Z. Rarity
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

This is a late Georgian stone vaulted mausoleum of unusual form, being circular with a conical roof. It enjoys a pleasant setting in an attractive and historic graveyard.