Comber - Thompson families

[tcrengr]

Hi, I have an Ann Thompson of Comber, who married Robert Cockcroft or Cockcraft prior to 1842.  They had two children...Robert and Jane.  Jane married a man whose last name was Murphy.  Any possible connection?

I think Ann...and possibly Robert....are buried in Comber.

Cindy

[kingskerswell]

Cindy,
         12 Aug 1862 Jane Cockcroft married William Murphy in St. Marks C. of I. Church, Newtownards.
Interestingly on 15 Oct Robert Cockcroft married Isabella Murphy in the same church.

Regards

[patri]

Hi Patsy
I am attempting to research this family and have just hit on this message board.   Hugh Thompson/Agnes McCulloch were my husband's ggg grandparents.  I have come to a fullstop with them and wondered if you had managed to get any further with your research.

Regards

Wendy

[Patsy Beech]

I am really sorry folk for not replying sooner, but I did not receive notification of your posts, and it is only because I did a general search of the Internet using Google that I came across your messages.

I have not found any connection to the name Crockcroft, sorry, but Wendy and Beverley I would love to get in touch with you. By now you may have other posts here on RootsChat so you could send me a personal message.

In the meantime the only scrap of evidence that I have John Thompson born c1820, and Hugh Thompson born c1827, could be brothers is at the wedding of John's daughter Mary to John Minnis in 1872 the bridesmaid was Agnes Thompson (born 9.12.1858) daughter of Hugh. If my theory is correct this would make Mary and Agnes cousins. At the very least it indicates the families knew each other in County Durham.

I am going to keep my fingers crossed this reply reaches you and we can help each other with the Thompson family tree.

Best Wishes,
Patsy

[patri]

Hi Patsy
Thanks for your reply.  Unfortunately I am unable to send personal reply as I am not a frequent user.

The only extra info. that I can add is that Rachel Jones, the ggdaughter of Hugh and Agnes, said that the family had worked in the local Irish whisky distillery prior to moving to England.  I see via the internet that the Comber Distilleries were established in 1825. 

It looks as though we are drawing a blank on the Thompson/McCulloughs.

Regards

[Patsy Beech]

Dear Patri,

Have you seen my other posting here on RootsChat which only yesterday made a link between Malcolm McCullough & Agnes McCullough - their father was called Richard McCullough a miller, and that could involve working for the distilleries!

Malcolm McCullough was living with John Thompson & Jane (nee McCullough) at the time of the 1851 census, but he returned to Ireland in 1852 to marry his sweetheart Agnes Harper. They married 12th December 1852 at Saintfield Church of Ireland, Downpatrick. Malcolm, wife and mother-in-law then returned to County Durham, England. So it is not just the Thompson families being connected, but also the McCullough's. The tree gets evermore complicated!

If I find any other pieces for the jigsaw I will let you know.
Best Wishes and Good Luck searching,
Patsy

[patri]

Hi Patsy
Thank you for the extra information.   I will certainly keep in touch if and when I manage to get any further with this side of the family.

Wendy

[Hilary Kelly]

Hello,  I am a Thompson from Comber.   I am linked to William and Elizabeth - James and Christina.
Could it be the same family.

H.

[Patsy Beech]

Hi Beverley,

Sorry it has taken 5 years to reply to your post, but family searching has been on hold for several years now. It is only because I hope to visit West Rainton in the near future that I have been trying to put all the bits and pieces together - no easy after such a long gap!

You say that this is your husband's family tree - do you know just which Thompson? If I put below the information I have regarding Hugh Thompson perhaps you can let me know if it is this one.

Hugh Thompson born c1827, Comber, County Down, Ireland married 1st May 1851 at the United Presbyterian Chapel, Ann McCulloch. (Spelling varies!) Their 5 children were:-

1851 Elizabeth Thompson

1853 Isabella Thompson baptised 2nd October 1853 West Rainton.
Married: 1871 Samuel Jones
Children: 1874 Elizabeth Jones
              1876 Hugh Thompson Jones
              1878 Ann Jones
              1881 Rachel Jones
              1885 Isabella Jones
              1887 Samuel Jones
              1889 Thomas Jones
              1894 Agnes Jones
              Plus two other children which had died by the time of the 1911 census.

1855 Hugh Thompson born West Rainton.
Married 1881 Margaret Jane Savage
Children: 1879 George Frederick Savage [Thompson]
              1882 John Robert Thompson
              1885 Minnie Thompson
              1887 Hugh Thompson
              1890 Hannah Thompson
              1893 Annie Thompson
              1900 Margaret Thompson

Agnes Thompson born 9th December 1858, West Rainton.
Married x1 1882 John Heslington
Married x2 Robert Leighton
Children: 1883 Richard Heslington
              1885 Hugh Thompson Heslington
              1888 Barbara Heslington
              1890 Agnes Heslington
              1894 John Heslington
              1897 Isabella Heslington
              1899 Elizabeth Heslington
Step children:
              1883 Robert Leighton
              1885 Margaret Leighton
              1886 Mary Ethel Leighton
              1890 Joseph Curry Usher Leighton
              1894 Jane Elizabeth Leighton
              1896 Annie Leighton
              1901 Michael Usher Leighton
Note: Agnes was a witness/bridesmaid at the wedding of her cousin Mary Thompson to John Minnis at Durham Register Office, 15th June 1872. I think this was also the day of the Durham Miners Gala.   

1864 Mary Alice Thompson (Possibly known as Polly!)

Once again I am very sorry about the 5 year delay.
Best Wishes,
Patsy