Peggy, this refers to a spirit license, ie. to sell beers / spirits, or to use the vernacular of the time "to deal in spirituous liquors".
The Belfast Newsletter of 1862 confirms the granting of a transfer of such a license to Martha Carson Boyd of Whiteabbey from a Matthew Keown.
Three years later in 1865, a transfer is granted of the license from Martha Carson Boyd to a Victoria Boyd of Whiteabbey, Carnmoney.
The next transfer of the license is granted in 1887, from Victoria Boyd to a William Christie of Whiteabbey.