Author: CARSON, Joseph
Biography:
CARSON, Joseph (fl 1832)
He was a linen weaver who was born in Lurgan, County Armagh, but no information about his birth or parentage has been found. The preface to his book states that he went to school only until the age of ten. Presumably he moved to Kilpike, near Banbridge, to work in the linen industry on the River Bann. His first published poem was a tribute to his benefactor, Mrs. Alexander M’Caw of Greenhill, and was printed in the Newry Telegraph. Some of his poems are in Ullans or Ulster-Scots. He may have been the Joseph Carson who died in or near Lisburn in 1874, aged seventy-two. His book was issued by subscription—the preface complains about the Herculean task of finding subscribers—but there is no list. (ancestry.co.uk 5 Jan. 2022) SR