When Henry, Marquis of Waterford, sold the old town residence of the family and its grounds to the Government as the site of the Education Board, he directed Mr.
Watkins, a dealer in pictures, and a man of considerable knowledge in works of art and vertu, to collect the pictures, etc., etc., which were best adapted for removal to Curraghmore.

Mr.Watkins especially picked out this portrait, not only as a good work of art, but as one which, from its associations, deserved particular care and notice.
When, however, the lot arrived at Curraghmore and was unpacked, no such picture was found; and though Mr.Watkins took great pains and exerted himself to the utmost to trace what had become of it, to this day (nearly forty years), not a hint of its existence has been received or heard of.
"John le Poer, Lord Decies, was the eldest son of Richard, Earl of Tyrone, and of Lady Dorothy Annesley, daughter of Arthur, Earl of Anglesey.

He was born 1665, succeeded his father 1690, and died 14th October, 1693.

He became Lord Tyrone at his father's death, and is the 'ghost' of the story.
"Nicola Sophie Hamilton was the second and youngest daughter and co- heiress of Hugh, Lord Glenawley, who was also Baron Lunge in Sweden.
Being a zealous Royalist, he had, together with his father, migrated to that country in 1643, and returned from it at the Restoration.

He was of a good old family, and held considerable landed property in the county Tyrone, near Ballygawley.