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Oakhill
Originally the Rectory of the Drumbeg Church of Ireland, this property was purchased by William Robert Oakman sometime around 1895. William had inherited Pigeontown after his father's death but chose to sell the farm and purchased this property from the church. William and his family were very involved with Drumbeg Parish Church — William serving as Church Warden and Rector for a number of years.
It was through William Robert that the property became known as Oakhill. The photo on the right shows a very old oak tree which was of some importance to William Robert. One of William's descendants has told me William took particular care of this tree, perhaps due to it's significance in relation to the Oakman name (the name Oakman is believed to have been given to those who dwelled near oak trees). Darraghmore also has some very old, very large oak trees planted around the house and out-buildings — did our Oakman ancestors plant them so they too could "dwell near oak trees"? Perhaps living Oakmans could continue the tradition and plant an oak tree in their gardens?
Living at Oakhill at the time of the 1901 Census were: 35 year old William Robert Oakman (son of John Oakman of Pigeonstown), his 39 year old sister, Frances Jane Oakman, his 64 year old cousin, Dorothea McCoy, and servant Lizzie Ann McCrory.
William married Edith Maude Wilson in 1911. Their children — Averil, Harriet, Edith, John, Walter and Olive — were all raised at Oakhill.
William died in 1942 followed by Edith in 1971. They are buried together at Glenavy Parish Church.