Hi Sharon,
I'm sorry I have taken so long replying but I have been trying to find a birth record for your John - no luck I'm afraid! I have to say you may never find a birth for him - I have a similar situation in my family, especially when they became Methodists, but having seen the evidence in your posts elsewhere, I am sure he is Abraham & Jane's son from Ballybulgan. Abraham's father was John, so Irish naming pattern would name the first son for the father's father. As for his disappearance I am still looking - I thought he might have come back to Ireland but I doubt it.
As for William - I cant find a birth record for him either, although I am also sure he is the William Farrell from Ballybulgan, father John, who married Francis Kincade 12th January 1809.
I have better news on Jane Clarke. I believe she did not marry anyone other than Abraham. She was born on 16th May 1795 daughter of William Clarke and Jane Millar, Rathtinney.
Regarding the Farrell/Spence issue, I have found a connection, although it is a much later generation:
Abraham Farrell (born 1898, son of John Farrell, farmer, of Ballybulgan, and Susan) married Elizabeth Spence (daughter of George Spence, a carpenter, and Sarah Jane (nee Elvin). They are in Ballintra on the 1911 census. Abraham died 16th June 1986 aged 88 yrs. and Elizabeth died 11th September 1999 aged 101 (bpt.13th July 1898) They are all in the same burial plot. This is the family I knew as a child, they lived next door but one. I cant say anything more here as we are now getting into the realms of the living, suffice to say a family member taught me piano!
I was brought up in Ballintra village, not Ballybulgan, but I knew all the places we have just mentioned, I just wish I had taken more notice of the people around me at the time!!!
I will keep you in mind and if I find any more I will let you know.
Regards,
Carol