List of Inhabitants
A History of Moville and its Neighbourhood
By Rt. Rev. Bishop Henry Montgomery, 1847 - 1932

Somewhere about the year 1820, Mr. Grierson had a farm, about half the ground the town now occupies, and was, I think, a surveyor, and was prepared to build houses. He lived in a cottage which stood where the garage of McConnell's Hotel now is, and I think it was the very farm house inhabited by Hugh Dougherty, the farmer.

Mr Grierson Again
Some time in the 'thirties Mr. Grierson began to give trouble. His farm consisted of the land on the Lough side of Moville Main-street. He had only a short lease, but on this security only, he began to let portions of land for dwellings. Naturally, on such a short tenure, the poorest of structures were erected. But his worst act was the giving of so much ground for yards. Many have wondered why the houses, such as those of M'Connell's Hotel, and all the rest down to James-street, have been so lavishly supplied with back premises, even to the extent of a walled garden below the yards. It was Mr. Grierson's doing. My uncle, the Rev. Samuel Montgomery, was compelled to buy out Mr. Grierson at the cost of several hundred pounds, and so prevented any further loss of the Greens. Probably the Public Greens today would be larger by an acre had it not been for Mr. Grierson.

The Bath Greens
This open space beside the lough, so valuable for recreation, was once partly the Newpark demesne and partly a farm.

Donovan visits Moville in 1835
All Donovan's researches are to be relied upon. He found a "nice little village" here. He also gives a list of inhabitants in the neighbourhood, which is locally of interest. Doghertys, McLoughlins, Mac Devits, Gilliams, O'Doorgiamas, MacColgans, MacConagails, Laffertys, O'Fearthams, MaFichillys, MacEtigans, MacConwells, MacKearneys, MacAteers, O'Brollogans, MacCuails, Deerys, O'Logertys, MacAcrossans, MacConalogues.

He also speaks of four "gentlemen who have seats on a small scale." Mr. Reynolds, at Carrick; Mr. Grierson, at Moville Lodge; Mr. Montgomery, at Newpark; Dr. Irvine, at the dispensary. He records the current wages in 1835. "Stout men at the present time as labouring servants receive about six guineas per annum, a younger description about four guineas (of course, they were boarded and fed). Labourers are paid in winter 10d, and in summer 1s per day. Female servants, as spinners, are paid by farmers about £2.8s. 0d per annum. When hired by a higher class as general servants, from £3 to £4. Quantities of yarn are shipped every week at Moville and Greencastle, landed at MacGilligan's Point, and carried to Market at Coleraine."

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