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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Antrim => Topic started by: Leigh P on Wednesday 16 June 10 08:36 BST (UK)
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Could someone please explain the orgin of the protestant families around Portglenone and Ballymena? Where did they come from and when?
Names I'm interested in are Swan(n), Gault and Miller/Millar.
Thankyou,
Leigh
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Starting around 1610 there was a huge influx into Ulster of people from Scotland and a much smaller influx from England, in a process called the Plantation of Ulster. There are plenty of web sites which will give you some background on this. Essentially it was a process encouraged by the then King (James 1 of England/James 6th of Scotland) to subdue Ireland, change the culture and also occupy vacant land left by the flight of the Earls. County Antrim (which covers Portglenone and Ballymena) took particularly high numbers of Scottish settlers. One estimate reckons that at least 100,000 Scots settled in Ulster as a result of the Plantation. They tended to come from the lowlands of Scotland rather than the Highlands, for a variety of reasons eg they were assumed to be more compliant and law abiding than Highlanders and they tended to have a better command of English (Highlanders in the 1600s would mostly speak Gaelic). Leases in Ireland tended to be more generous or flexible and this was one of the factors used an inducements to encourage settlers in Ulster.
A clue as to your ancestors likely background is their religion. A high percentage of Scots were presbyterians, and would attend Presbyterian churches in Ireland. Protestant English settlers were more likely to attend Church of Ireland churches (which is essentially the C of E in Ireland) or, later, one of the other Protestant churches.
Elwyn
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Thankyou Elwyn,
My Antrim ancestors were Presbyterian so that would make them likely of Scottish heritage from what you have told me.
Thanks again,
Leigh
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As regards the names you posted: Gault is strongly suggestive of a Scots background, Miller/Millar fairly so and Swann not so; but, none of these is conclusive on its own.
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Thanks Bhoy. I have seen mention of Scottish Swans, mainly around Edinburgh.But did think Gault to be of Scottish origin.
Regards
Leigh
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Leigh, these are all Scottish surnames. Antrim & Down were not in fact part of the official Plantation of Ulster
www.hamiltonmontgomery1606.com
some interesting stuff. Skoosh.
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Thanks Skoosh,
I've just read about the Hamilton and Montgomery settlements of Down and Antrim. Very interesting, I didn't know anything about it until now. So ti would appear my ancestors were originally from Scotland.
My great great grandfather was Alexander Swan of Carmagrim, near Portglenone and great great grandmother was Margaret Gault of Ahoghill.They emigrated to Australia in 1856.
Regards
Leigh
Leigh
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Leigh, they could be from as near as Galloway, the landowners of the Townland they lived on might give a clue to their origin. The Adair's for example were Galloway lairds who crossed to Antrim and would have taken their tenants (or younger sons) with them. Skoosh.
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Leigh,
There is a lot of info on the plantation on line, however Counties Antrim and Down were not included in this official Govt scheme. These counties had previously seen an influx of Presbyterians from Scotland fleeing religious persecution and I think it would be fair to say that Antrim & Down were "privately planted" by these families. A few generations later many of these Ulster Scots folk again upped sticks for better lives in North America and were some of the earliest Irish settlers in the new world. Again there is a lot online about the early Ulster Scots in America. All very interesting stuff!
Margaret
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Thankyou Skoosh and Margaret,
Where would I find who owned the townlands of Carmagrim at Portglenone and Lismurnaghan at Ahoghil?
During the 1800s many families from Ulster also migrated to Australia and New Zealand for better lives.
Regards,
Leigh
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Leigh,
Land ownership records for Co Antrim up to 1923 are kept at the Land Registry in Dublin www.landregistry.ie. There is a fee for searching those records. The older records that you are interested in are kept in folios (paper files) and are not on line.
Carmagrim is 919 acres, and Lismurnaghan 275 acres. Both will have contained many farms and cottages (all in effect sharing the same 2 addresses) but not necessarily ever having one single owner. In fact I would reckon that there could be many different owners. You probably need to narrow your search to the exact property(s) that your ancestors owned otherwise searching may cost you a fortune. (I suspect you probably don't know exactly which property it was anyway).
Perhaps you could approach the problem in a different way by contacting the local historical society (I am sure there will be one, the local library would surely know if it is not on the web) to see if someone there can assist you with general information about who the early Scottish settlers were, and where they came from.
Elwyn
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Thanks Elwyn for your suggestions. I'll certainly follow them up.
Regards
Leigh
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Perhaps you could approach the problem in a different way by contacting the local historical society (I am sure there will be one, the local library would surely know if it is not on the web) to see if someone there can assist you with general information about who the early Scottish settlers were, and where they came from
http://www.nifhs.org/ballymena.htm
and
http://www.librariesni.org.uk/libraries/local-studies-service-neelb/
:)
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Thanks Scotmum,
I've emailed the secretary of the Ballymena branch of the NIFHS but have not heard back from her.
I'll contact the library and see if theya re able to help.
Regards
Leigh
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Hi Leigh P,
[From memory:
Likely source Ref ? : "The Scottish Migration to Ulster in the Reign of King James" from UHF ...]
Many of the early families in the Portglenone/Ballymena area originated from the NE of Scotland.
Responding to King James's 1605 deal with the Earl of Antrim, they marched arm-in-arm all the way to their new Utopia, having suffered from a terrible series of famine years around the turn of the century in their home locations.
[Lord Antrim (McDONNELL) had long been a thorn to Queen Elizabeth's political aspirations and church reforms in the 16thC, and was despised by the victorious English adventurers in the 9 years war 1594-1603. They wanted him declared a traitor and removed from power, with his lands forfeit.
However, earlier, he had helped King James to rid the seaways between Scotland and Ireland of pirates.
In recognition of this, on accession to the English throne, the wily King James decided to permit Antrim to retain his title in return for a concession to let a substantial body of loyal settlers come on to his lands.
James knew from the bitter experience of his disatrous 1603 plantation on the Mull of Kintyre that powerful local political support and large numbers were essential to avoid failure. ]
I know of one family (CHEYNE) who are likely to have come this route.
[They were clergymen at St Machar's in Old Aberdeen for many centuries.
N.B. Aberdeen city was/is a centre of strong Scottish Episcopalianism.]
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However, much happened from then on, with further settlers arriving with (or after) the Covenanter army in the 1640s and the Williamite armies in the 1680s-90s.
A century later, the unique topography of the area attracted industrialists in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with many water powered mills being established in the hills.
[Such locations were also very suitable for illegal whiskey making, still practised to this day!]
Artisans with complementary skills will have moved to the areas from elsewhere, possibly arriving fresh from "abroad", brought in by the entrepreneurs of the day.
The Ordnance Survey Memoirs for the area would be well worth a read.
[Sorry, can't consult. My trusty ship is condemned to dry dock just now!]
Capt. Jock
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Thanks Capt. Jock. Looks as if I need to do some more reading.
Both families do seem to have Scottish first names throughout - eg Alexander.
Regards
Leigh
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Leigh,
Hmm ...
Those surnames don't match too well with those of NE Scotland.
[So descendants might not understand "the Doric" too well!]
Another "favourite" area of emigration from Scotland was (The Kingdom of) Fife.
It was King James' backyard, so superfluous inhabitants were given extra-special encouragement.
[His HQs (Palaces) were at Falkland, then Dunfermline (from 1590 till 1603).]
Capt. Jock
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Hello Capt. Jock,
I did a quick search of the IGI for both Swan/Swann and Gault/Galt in Scotland.
Below are the areas with more than 50 of each name -
Some areas had many more than 200 named.
Gault/Galt - Aberdeen, Angus, Ayr, Banff, Fife, Lanark, Midlothian, Moray, Perth, Renfrew, Stirling.
Swan/Swann - Aberdeen, Angus, Argyll, Ayr, Berwick, Clackmannan, Dumfries,
Dunbarton, East Lothian, Fife, Inverness, Kirkcudbright, Lanark, Midlothian, Orkney, Peebles, Perth, Renfrew, Roxburgh, Stirling, West Lothian, Wigtown.
As you can see Swan/Swann was more widespread than Gault/Gault.
Someone with more knowledge of Scotland than I may be able to make an assumption of the name spread.
Regards
Leigh
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The spread of both surnames seems so widespread, that all I think you can conclude is that your ancestors could have come from practically anywhere in Scotland save for the northern Highlands and Western Isles. (I know that may not be what you want to hear!).
Elwyn
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Thanks Elwyn,
At least I think I can assume they were Scottish even if I don't know where in Scotland they came from.
Thankyou to all who have replied to me.
Regards
Leigh
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Leigh, they could be from as near as Galloway, the landowners of the Townland they lived on might give a clue to their origin. The Adair's for example were Galloway lairds who crossed to Antrim and would have taken their tenants (or younger sons) with them. Skoosh.
Hmmm does that mean my ancestors could be english then considering they rented land from the clotherwortherks compay?
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Leigh.
I may possibly be able to help you a bit further. I am from many many generations of Ahoghill Bankhead who resided in Lismurnahagn and Killane townlands, and also in Portglenone parish. 1st Ahoghill graveyard is full of them. There are more than a few Bankhead/Galt marriages in my research notes, stretching back via Coleraine to the parish of Kilmaurs in Ayrshire. That parish or the surrounding ones are fairly certain to be your ancestral homelands. The Galts in Coleraine were (about 1700) fairly prosperous Presbyterian families
Regards
Matt
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Leigh.
I mentioned the Coleraine connection for Bankhead/Galt families and I attach an extract from my notes. The will does NOT survive but an abstract does. Both families moved on to Ahoghill. There are a serious of local history books about Ahoghill , published about a decade ago. Worth getting hold of to see all the local family names.
" Hugh #1 Bankhead of Killowen
d 1718
James Hugh= Elizabeth Galt Ellinor = Hugh Lyle Sarah = Howard daughter = Will Shaw
d1718 (died before 1718)
¦
+---------------------------+
¦ ¦
daughter = McNeall Mary = Dominick Hayland
¦ (his 3rd marriage)
¦ ¦
Elizabeth ¦
+----------------------------+
¦ ¦
Elizabeth = Robert Gault Hugh
of Edindaroc (died at sea)
(his 2nd marriage)
The Heylands and Galts were in early years very prosperous Presbyterian
families. The period 1717-1718 was the first time that the Scots-Irish emigrated in large numbers, an exodus fuelled by failed crops, crippled linen industry and rack-renting (sudden increase of farm rents). Perhaps the wills were drawn up in expectation of a hazardous voyage"
The Minutes of the Ulster Synod have been published in book form. From my notes:-
"By 1740 however a Hugh #3 Bankhead was resident in Ahoghill Parish and James #4 Bankhead plus Samuel #1 Bankhead in the adjoining parish of Drummaul. James #4 appears in the minutes of the Ulster Synod of 1738 when as one of 30 heads of families and 12 young men they asked for and were granted disannexation from Drummaul and transference to Ahoghill. Quite why this happened is not revealed in the minutes. "
I think, but cannot be sure, that the Galt name appears as well
Matt
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Hugh BANKHEAD, Killowen, a tanner, was admitted as a freeman of Coleraine 1678. Son Hugh Bankhead (a founder member of New Row Presbyterian Church) married Elizabeth, daughter of John Galt & Sarah Moore- their daughter Mary BANKHEAD married her 1st cousin Dominick HEYLAND.
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I know. The James Bankhead who appears to have died in 1718 is almost certainly the one who signed the petition of that year to Governor Sam Shute in New England, but it has been stated that no proof of any of the signatories actually emigrating has been found. I have been trying unsuccessfully for decades to establish the connection between Coleraine and Ahoghill. A Bankhead will or two are recorded for places in between but they are not extant. The slightly famous Rev John Bankhead of Ballycarry (he of the 22 children) possibly derived from Coleraine families.
Regards
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Mattfrombann,
I am new to RootsChatt, but noticed that, in this Forum, you posted that you are from the Ahoghill Bankheads. I am searching for the parents and family information of a James Bankhead that was born in 1748 in County Antrim (the only location I have on him). I also know that on October 21, 1767, he sailed from Belfast to South Carolina, U.S.A., where he married a Mary Hatfield.
Do you have any information related to this James Bankhead? Or, what would be the next step I could do to narrow my search?
I found your information on "Origins of Protestant Families around Ballymena and Portglenone" very interesting.
Thanks!
Moderator's Note: see this new thread-
www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,494520.msg3516843.html#msg3516843
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Could someone please explain the orgin of the protestant families around Portglenone and Ballymena? Where did they come from and when?
Names I'm interested in are Swan(n), Gault and Miller/Millar.
Thankyou,
Leigh
From
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Thanks Hallmark! Some more information to add to my Swan knowledge bank.
Regards
Leigh
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Anything in return to add to my Swan knowledge bank?
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In the 1960's swans and galloways had farms on the Carmegrim Rd outside portglenone. The families were originally from Scotland.
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In the 1960's swans and galloways had farms on the Carmegrim Rd outside portglenone. The families were originally from Scotland.
Thanks gerig,
Are you able to tell me how you know that the Swans originally came from Scotland? Do you know if there are any Swans still in the area? They would be distant cousins of mine I assume.
Regards
Leigh
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Swan, a variant of MacSwan/MacSween. MacDonald origin so Antrim spot-on!
Skoosh.
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[/quote]
Do you know if there are any Swans still in the area? They would be distant cousins of mine I assume.
Regards
Leigh
[/quote]
I see about 25 Swan/Swann households listed in the current Northern Ireland (North) phone book. There’s a couple in the Portglenone area. If you search under postcode BT44 you should find them easily enough.
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The farm was owned by Maggie Swann. These were small farms, some about 20 plus acres. Th same families had owned them for hundreds of years. It was just common knowledge that the families were originally from Scotland. The Swann farm was bought, I believe, by a Mr. Clarke who also lived on the Caremegrim Rd. He would have received all the original paperwork. Plans etc. The Swanns in the Portglenone area are probably descended from the original family.
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Thanks Skoosh and Elwyn. I appreciate your information.
Leigh
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The farm was owned by Maggie Swann. These were small farms, some about 20 plus acres. Th same families had owned them for hundreds of years. It was just common knowledge that the families were originally from Scotland. The Swann farm was bought, I believe, by a Mr. Clarke who also lived on the Caremegrim Rd. He would have received all the original paperwork. Plans etc. The Swanns in the Portglenone area are probably descended from the original family.
Thanks gerig for your reply. I'll try and contact them to see if they are my distant cousins.
Leigh
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I only ever visited the area but knew people who knew Maggie Swann. Mr Clarke and family had a house on the Carmegrim Rd which overlooked the Swann farm. The farm had quite extensive buildings visible from the upper road. The Clarkes would have known more about the family history. Many of the people were tenant farmers. Tenants of Lord O'Neill but were able to buy the land because of the Irish Land Act.
Sorry I cannot be more helpful. Good luck in your search. If you ever visit anyone along the Carmegrim Rd would be able to show you the Swann farm.
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Thanks gerig. I appreciate your help. Unfortunately, I am unlikely to have the opportunity to visit the Portglenone area, which is why I'm very appreciative of any information I am given about the Swans and Gaults.
Leigh
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Leigh,
Google Clarke Carmagrim Rd portglenone and there is an Agnes E Clarke at #44. This would be the location of the house that overlooked the Swann farm. These people may be able to put you in touch with someone local who could give you some more information. A telephone number is included. I don't know where you are located but Portglenone, Ahoghill and Ballymena are not far apart.
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Leigh,
Google Clarke Carmagrim Rd portglenone and there is an Agnes E Clarke at #44. This would be the location of the house that overlooked the Swann farm. These people may be able to put you in touch with someone local who could give you some more information. A telephone number is included. I don't know where you are located but Portglenone, Ahoghill and Ballymena are not far apart.
Thanks gerig,
I'm in Australia.
Leigh
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Hello folks, have just joined Rootschat and enjoying this thread. My forebears were Shields/Sheils/Sheals of Portglenone/Ahoghill area. My g/grandfather James Shields left Antrim in 1863 aged 21 for Australia. His parents were Patrick Shields and Nancy Hall. From what I know only one sister, Elizabeth Ann remained in Ireland and married Robert Greer in 1850.
If anyone has come across Patrick and Nancy I would be very pleased.
Cheers JayJay