There are many stones in this graveyard that are buried, others badly deteriorated with much of the data gone, while others are completed covered with vines and mildew. There are also numerous small stones that rest against some of the iron gated area that have absolutely no information left. We made no attempt to dig up any stones or uncover any stones covered with vines. It would be possible to return on a sunny dry day where the information is more visible but we found no such day during our visit to the area.
The graveyard is fenced and covered with blackberries. The church is barely visible as it is covered with vines. The roof is gone and part of the walls have fallen away. It is impossible to enter the building.
In the Ordnance survey, Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of Co Londonderry VIII, 1830, 1833-7, 1839, page 5 and 6 states,
The following are the names of families who still continue to bury in the old graveyard of Desertoghill, taken at random throughout the yard: Carother, Caskey, Doran, McGoigal, O'Kane, Kennedy, Loughin, Dunllap, McIntosh, Wallace, Knox, Alexander, Fullerton, Henderson, Miller, Gilmore, Thomson, Morris, Wood, Walker, Wilson, Toner, Young.The old church of Desertoghill is situated in the townland of [blank], at a litte distance from the old road to Kilrea. It is in a dreary bleak situation at the edge of a bog and appears to be decaying fast. The side walls are still 12 feet high, which appears to have the original height. No vestiges remain of any doors or windows. It is said to have been founded by St. Columbkille in the 5th Century. It was in 1773 when it was deserted on the account of its unsound state and the expense of keeping it up.
In memory of John McLenaghan, Carhill,
who died 17 March 1905, age 90 years
and Ann Laughlin, his wife, who died 24 October 1888, aged 72 years
also their sons
John F. McLenaghan, who died 29 December 1881, aged 33 years
and Thomas L. McLenaghan, who died 21 March 1910, aged 60 years
and James McLenaghan, who died 16 March 1930, aged 76 years
also Archibald McLenaghan, who died 16 September 1934, aged 82 years
and Matilda McLenaghan, his wife, who died 4 December 1936, aged 63 years
their daughter-in-law, Evelyn E. McLenaghan, who died 10 October 1940
John F. McLenaghan, who died 8 March 1993, aged 90 years
and his wife, Mary McLenaghan, who died 8 March 1995, aged 83 years
Nelly Carpenter, died 17 March 1901
(The stone is buried in the ground)
Here lyth the body of Alexander Torner, who died Oct-----
(Rest of stone is buried in the ground. The last name is probably modern day spelling of Turner.)
In memory of John Elder, of Ballury, who died 29 July 1858, aged 53
and his wife, Maria, who died 15 January 1900, aged 93 years,
their son, Robert who died in New York, USA, 3 June 1880
and their son William died at Mettican, 17 November 1922, aged 82 years
his wife Agnes Ross Elder, 23 February 1918, aged 77 years
also their daughter Maria, died 5 November 1922, aged 82 years
Elizabeth, died 1 September 1929, aged 94 years
also Robert Ross Elder, who died 23 April 1941.
Here lyth the remains of Robert Elder, late of Ballury,
who departed this life on the 22 January 1842, aged 69 years.
This stone is found in the above John Elder's plot.
In memory of James Hamilton, late of Ballymenagh,
died 4 June 1890, aged 73 years
also his wife Letitia, died 28 December 1902, aged 78 years
and his nephew, William Hamilton, died 9 May 1925.
Turner
In loving memory of my dear husband, William Turner,
who died 26 August 1941, aged 76 years
also his wife Martha, who died 14 February 1952, aged 82 years
and their granddaughter Mabel, who died 7 December 1951, aged 23 years
Here lyth the body of James Walker
who departed this life 29 December 1819, aged 60 years
W. M. Henderson, Crossland
also his wife Nancy Henderson
and father
(No other information on this stone..see following stone added later)
Here lyth the body of William Henderson, late of Crossland,
who departed this life, 27 July 1819, aged 79 years
William ---, of Caw, to the memory of his beloved wife, -----,
who departed this life 18 August --, aged 72 years
the above named William, died 1 Nov 1891, aged ----
Erected by David Boyd, Kewrin, in memory of his wife,
Hanna Jane Goodwin, died 9 June 1883, aged 3(8?) years
the above named David,died 4 August 1918, aged 74 years
also their son David, who died 25 July 1935, aged 55 years
also their son John, who died 22 December 1939, aged 63 years
also wife of above John Boyd, Serah, who died 8 July 1956
and wife of above David Boyd, Annie, who died 22 November 1969
Erected to the memory of Hugh Park, Garvagh,
who died 1 May 1946, aged 89 years
In memory of Robert Graham of Caulham,
who died 23 August 1887, aged 76 years
also his wife Fannie Jane, who died 17 July 1887, aged 72 years
also his sons
George, who died 16 June 1865, aged 6 years
William John died 27 March 1877, aged 23 years
Samuel died 24 January 1896, aged 48 years
Robert Gardiner Graham, died 20 November 1922, aged 75 years
his son William
and his daughter Fannie
and Martha, wife of Robert Gardiner Graham who died 10 September 1945
and their daughter Ethel F. I. Graham, who died 22 January 1971
In loving memory of my dear husband William Turner
called home 14 May 1934
Here lyth the body of John Kennedy,
who died August 11, 1793, aged 70 years
also Robert, who died 10 March ----
also the Kennedy Children
Erected by Matthew Meek, of Pittsbury, PA
to the memory of his father
William Meek, late of Tirkean,
who died on the 20 August 1863, aged 56 years
also his sister Jane who died 25 November 1885
also his mother Margaret, who died 10 November 1837, aged 87 years
This stone was erected to the memory of James Knox
who died Jan 1785, aged 26 years
Erected in memory of John Dorr--- late of Trina- who died on 6 M
also his wife, Letit---, 9 March 1851 (age is gone)
lso their son, John---.
stone has been broken and the right side has deteriorated. Only the above information is readable. The stone is located outside of the Dorrance gated plot located on the side of a small incline.
(Iron gated plot covered with vines in a dense wooded area on a small incline)
Erected in the memory of John Dorrance,
late of Ballury, who departed this life March 1819, aged 37 years
also his wife Mary Ann Dorrance,
who departed this life June 1826, aged 42 years
also their children as follows
Samuel Dorrance who departed this life, June 1829, aged 16 years
John Dorrance who departed this life, March 1838, aged 23 years
Jane Dorrance who departed this life, June 181, age 12 years
James Dorrance who departed this life June 1854, aged 42
Thomas A. McNeary, Greathrandy?,
child of John Dorrance, son died 16 June 184(0?), aged 19 months
Mary Ann McNeary, of Garvagh, mother of Thomas,
departed this life on the 9 January 1868 aged 80 years
James McNeary, died on the 19th February 1866,
aged 65 years -------, died 30 day May 1877
Jane, the beloved wife of Robert Moore, Garvagh, aged 68 years
Jeannie McNeary, died 29 April 1889, aged 29 years
Alexander McNeary, M.D.,
an elder in the Main Street Garvagh Church for upwards of 40 years
died 13 June 1904, aged 77 years
(Note: I am not sure of this listing with the McNeary intertwined with Dorrance listing. This could be an error. It needs to be rechecked.)
Erected to the memory of William John Wallace, Edenbawn,
who died 18 July 1877, aged 28 years
also Joseph B. Wallace, who died 18 June 1888, aged 82 years
Also Nancy Lynn, wife of Joseph B. Wallace died Nov 1902, aged 76 years
and Louisa Wallace, died 29 February 1924 (no age listed)
William Wallace, late of Trena---,
who departed this life 9 January 1829, aged 82 years,
To the memory of Hugh Kennedy, late of Tamlaght,
who departed this life 13 August 1819 aged 100 years.
(This lone stone is located on the top of incline in a dense wooded area but is in fairly good condition)
Underneath lyth the body of David Dunlop,
late of Killyvelly, who departed this life 20 July 1830/1850, aged 89 years
also James Dunlop, son, (dates are unreadable), aged 19 years
The remains of his wife Sarah are interred here
who departed thr life 10 January 18(-8) aged 80 years
also his son John Dunlop, who departed this life
23 December 1877, aged 80 years
Mary Dunlop, who died 16 May 190-, aged 60 years
(A large stone, flat with ground and difficult to read due to age)
(The following stones are found in a walled garden area directly in back of the church. The church backwall makes a wall for this part of this area. Part of another wall is mostly gone. Also walls covered with vines)
(1) In affectionate and loving remembrance of
Joseph Johnston Church, died 17 March 1899, aged 4 years
also William Thomas Church, died 5 June 1900, age 19 years
the father, William Church, died 19 January 1908, aged 72 years
also James Clarke Church, died 18 June 1906, aged 24 years
and his wife Sarah Clarke, died 1 November 1913, aged 67 years
and his daughter Maud Church, died 7 June 1915, aged 25 years
his son Arthur Church, died 26 April 1945, aged 69 years
and his wife Margaret Janette Church, 10 June 1962, aged 74 years
and their daughter Eileen Church, died 16 September 1919, aged 10 years
Sheila E. H. Church, died 28 April 1984, aged 62 years
(2) Erected to the memory of William Church
who departed this life on the 14th March 1835, aged 74 years
In memory of Annie Church,
who departed this life on the 15 April 1819, aged 61 years
and her son Thomas Church,
who departed this life on the 30th November 1840, aged 45 years
(3)In remembrance of Ann Church
who departed this life 22 August 1812, aged 63/65 years.
Erected to the memory of John Stewart, late of Ballery,
who departed this life, November 1815, aged 56 years
also his son Archibald who departed this life November 1858, aged 30 years.
Robert Thompson, Junr, late of Garvagh, who departed this life (15?) January 1830, aged 77 years
Also Jane Thompson, his wife, departed this life 1830, aged 75 years.
(Note: no other dates are given for Jane Thompson, wife)
(An iron gated plot)
In loving memory of John Smith, Ballyagan,
died 6th December 1877, aged 94 years
also his wife, Jane, died 17 January 1841, aged 41 years
d his son-in-law, Hugh Gilmour, died 4 June 1895, aged 76 years
In memory of William Workman, Ballymenagh,
who died 18 February 1929, aged 93 years
and his wife, Sarah Jane, nee Hill, who died 4 December 1926, aged 82 years.
In memory of the Rev Archibald Fullerton,
Presbyterian Minister, Aghadoey,
who died 1 January 1813, aged 48 years
and of his eldest son, John Fullerton
who died 3 December 1819, aged 23 years
and of his affectionate wife, Elizabeth Fullerton,
who died 8 February 1854, aged 86 years
Erected by William McIlfatrick to the memory of
his brother, Sgt. James McIlfatrick, E. India Co.,
14 June 1864, aged 63 years
also his wife, Jane McIlfatrick, who died 7 May 18-3 age (50? years)
also his granddaughter Marry Patterson, Ma-
(rest of stone is deteriorated)
Erected in the memory of Robert Stuart,
late of Lisachrin, who departed this life 7 August 1855, aged 18 years.
Here lyeth the body of Daniel Toner
who departed this life August 26, 1814, aged 66 years
Here lyeth the dust of John Young, late of Ballyagan,
who was born in A.D. 1748 and died in 1784
also his wife Sarah Young, who was born in 1744, who died in 1805
Erected to the memory of John Wilson,
late of Ballyagan who died on the 6 August 1851 aged 73 years
and his wife Mary, died on the 2 April 1865, aged 74 years
and his daughter-in-law, Nancy, on the 14 February 1854, aged 32 years
and his son William, who died 10 March 1875, aged 62 years
also his daughter-in-law, Jane, who died 3 March 1892, aged 65 years
also his daughter, Margt Ann, died 27 August 1895, aged 68 years
John Wilson, above, 6 August 1851, aged 73 years
Robert Gilmour, who departed this life, -----, aged 79 years
and his grandson, John Gilmour of Inchaleen,
who departed this life 185? (1855?) aged 16 years
Dugal Campbell, who died March 18--, aged 80
Mary Campbell, aged 70
(Stone is buried into the ground and more information available)
Here lyth the body of Francis Caisidy,
who departed this life the 10th Apri 17--, aged 52 years
also his wife, who departed this life (1820?), aged 56 years
and their son, (John?) who departed this life on the --March 1825, age ---
also his mother, (rest of information is gone)
(The wife of Francis is not stated on the stone)
Erected by James I---aghey, in memory of his wife Sarah,
late of Magheramery, who departed
this life, 6 May 1856, aged 30 years
Erected by David McIlfatrick of Crossland in memory of
his brother, Robert McIlfatrick
also John Stuart and wife and family of Lismoyle
also the above named David McIlfatrick who died 8 March 1928, aged 79 years
(This stone is broken in half and much of the information is missing)
Erected in loving memory of James McMillan, Killyvalley,
and his wife Mary
and their sons, John, Thomas and Alexander
also their daughters
Nancy Magee
Mary N. McMillan
and their grandson James Magee
(No dates listed)
Here lyth the body of Jarimia M. Ready
who departed this life 15 March 1807, aged 55 years
Here lyth the body of Alexander Hame--
who died July 14, 1807 A.D., aged -9 years
Erected to the memory of James Quigg of Gorlacleghan,
who died 5 March 1846, aged 52 years
also his wife Margared who died 27 February 1965, aged 75 years
Here lyth the body of Jane Wilson, late of Ballury,
who departed this life 28 July 1820, aged 34 years
Sarah Wilson, late of Ballury, Coleraine,
who departed this life on the 7 June 1855, aged 57 years
also James Wilson, late of Ballury,
who departed this life _ April 1860 (day of month is gone)
Here is interred the remains of John Wilson, late of Ballury,
who departed this life-- May, 1834, aged 74 years
also Elizabeth Wilson, his wife, -- --- ---, aged 80 years
Lyeth the remains of Daniel Carrothers and
his wife Jane Carrothers
also their daughter Letitia Adams who departed this life
the 25 Dec 1831, aged 61 years
Erected to the memmory of John Stewart,
late of Ballery, who departed this life Nov 1815, aged 56 years
also his son Archibald, departed this life Nov 1838, age 30 years