Thanks for taking the time to read my plea.
The post you linked refers to JOHN’s marriage in Scotland, not his parents marriage in Ireland.
I had paid a researcher to look for John’s birth several years ago. They came up with Williams - no first name given - of Listress and Mary POLKE of Glendermott marriage in Cumber Lower Church of Ireland Church, Diocese of Derry, County Londonderry on 22 Nov 1825.
Also, they found baptisms of David, son of James Williams and Mary Poke on 9 Apr 1830 in Glendermott Church of Ireland Church, and John, son of James Williams and Mary Pollock on 24 Oct 1834 in Cumber Lower Church of Ireland Church.
And, as you say, Royal Irish Constabularies were held to some very strict rules, such as: must be single for 7 years (I think), which eliminates my ancestor. All of the Williams’s were either single or served after my Williams would have been deceased. That’s why I thought maybe a local police constable rather than the RIC.
I have tried to find this man over the years, on this forum as well as many, many others. The posts you linked above are all still valid and still not solved. I’m really stumped and getting frustrated. Maybe there is no answer.
I was skeptical because John was Presbyterian as an adult, but I guess he might have changed religions. Also, he was born in 1845, not 1834, but if a child dies it’s not uncommon for the family to reuse the name - particularly if they’re trying to preserve the name. It was likely one of his grandfather’s names that they wished to pass on.
Thanks again for your interest.