Calling all Montgomerys: Does anyone have any information at all about these Montgomerys of northern Ireland ? (see list)
They came over to Ireland in the early 1600's from Scotland with the aid of Hugh Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery, who granted lands known as Gransheogh in the parish of Donaghadee, County Down, to Hugh Montgomery, a cousin, in 1628.
Gen 1. Hugh Montgomery of Gransheough, cousin of the 1st Viscount, migrated to Maghera, County Derry and represented the Borough of Newtownards in Parliament from 1635-1641.
He had two sons, Hugh and John.
Gen 2. (Maj.) Hugh Montgomery, the eldest son married a daughter of Robert McClelland.
They had "several daughters" and one son, William.
Gen 3. William Montgomery, son of Maj. Hugh, married Mary Magill, daughter of Capt. James Magill.
They had one daughter, Lucy, who died young, and one son William.
Gen 4. (Capt.) William Montgomery of Greyabbey, Gransheough, son of William, married (1st) Catherine Hall on 22 Sep 1719.
On the proposal of marriage, his prospective mother-in-law, Francis Hall, requested a Statement of the Value of his Property at Gransheough, which he furnished, revealing an £800 debt to Col. Adam Downing.
Capt. William Montgomery died on 17 Apr 1755.
Of the "several daughters" of Maj. Hugh Montgomery, I suspect William may have had a sister named "Jane". I am searching for some proof of the identity of JANE MONTGOMERY and whether she may have married GEORGE DOWNING, Adam's father (perhaps) in or about 1665. She was likely born between 1640-1646, because I know Adam was a first child in 1666.
The theory is that Adam Downing likely would not have even known about Capt. William Montgomery's financial problem, unless he had the family connection of being his 1st cousin, both grandsons of Maj. Hugh.
ANY information could be the key to solving a huge mystery.
I have a proverbial "ton" of data on the Downings of northern Ireland and would be happy to share.
Forward Into the Past,
Rick
