Baxter Family Ballygawley Cookstown

[billybrm]

Hi
I have found it impossible to find out much about one side of my family roots in N Ireland - one side of the family tree has been researched and there is much information stretching back a few centuries. This side for Baxters in Tyrone seems to end in the 1800s unless anyone may be able to help.
My family tree as far as I have got so far is: my father Ian Baxter 1921-1974 born in Cookstown, died in Belfast - married to Margaret Washington Illingworth (1933-2013). His father William Henry Baxter, 1884-1953 from Tyrone, married to Annie Irwin (1897-1981). His father Joseph Baxter 1851-1919, Tyrone, married to Jane Hamilton 1848-? His father, William Baxter which I have seen on Joseph & Jane's marriage certificate. That's it, no matter where I look I cannot find any more information. William Henry and Annie apparently moved to Bangor and became the owners of Bangor Linen Mill, although I can find no evidence of this. Any information on any of this would be much appreciated. Thanks for any help. Regards, Billy

[gaffy]

... His father Joseph Baxter 1851-1919, Tyrone, married to Jane Hamilton 1848-?

Welcome to RootsChat.

It looks like Jane died in 1918, as per the following note of thanks from the Mid Ulster Mail of 3 October 1918 and the following death registration:

 Mr. Joseph Baxter and his only son, William Henry Baxter, wishes to acknowledge the many letters of condolence and to return their sincere thanks to all who sympathised with them in their sad bereavement, and hope this acknowledgement will be accepted by all. Coagh Street, Cookstown.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1918/05181/4430734.pdf

Edited to add: Also from the Mid Ulster Mail of 3 June 1916, there is an obituary for what looks like a brother of Jane, namely Henry Hamilton of Tamlaght-More Arboe, here is an extract:

HENRY HAMILTON,
Died 26th May, 1916.

The chief mourners were - Constable Hugh Hamilton, R.I.C., Galway City; John J. Hamilton, William Hamilton (sons), Joseph Baxter (brother-in-law), William H. Baxter, George Brown (nephews), Robert Owens, James Owens, David Owens (relatives.)

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1916/05246/4454194.pdf

Given the above information, the following looks like Henry Hamilton's marriage in 1883, a Joseph Baxter was one of the witnesses:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1883/10947/8000919.pdf

[gaffy]

William Henry and Annie apparently moved to Bangor and became the owners of Bangor Linen Mill, although I can find no evidence of this.

I haven't found evidence yet either, perhaps someone else will.  What I do know is that the street directories on the Lennon Wylie website for 1932, 1939, 1943, 1947 and 1951 place him at 62 Ulsterville Avenue in Belfast and describe him as a (presumably commercial) 'traveller' - Annie is listed in the 1960 directory for that address.

https://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/

The relevant 1901 and 1911 Ireland census returns describe him as a commercial clerk in the linen business.  Fast forward to 1953 and the Will Calendars index on the PRONI website describes him as a mercantile clerk, and while the house is indeed in a nice street in Belfast and there is a respectable amount of effects, IMHO it doesn't scream 'mill owner' to me, so all in all, I'm leaning slightly more away from, than towards the possibility.
 
Baxter William Henry of 62 Ulsterville Avenue Belfast mercantile clerk died 25 December 1953 Administration (with Will) Belfast 16 June to Joseph Baxter clerk. Effects £1715 13s. 9d.

https://apps.proni.gov.uk/WillsCalendar_IE/WillsSearch.aspx

[gaffy]

It looks like Jane died in 1918...

Also confirmed by the inscription (plot B88) at the council cemetery (Cookstown):

BAXTER. Erected by Wm. H Baxter, in loving memory of his mother, Jane Baxter, who died 19th Sepr. 1918.  Also his father, Joseph Baxter: Who died 7th July 1919. Also Wm. H. Baxter who died  25th Decr. 1953. And his wife Anne who died 9th May 1981.

[aghadowey]

This also confirms occupation of William Henry Baxter-
Administration of the Estate of the late Joseph Baxter, Coagh Street, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, General Dealer, who died 7 July 1919, granted at Armagh 8 August 1919 to William Henry Baxter, Mercantile Clerk, the son. Effects: £837 9s 1d.

This is a good possibility for Joseph's father William Baxter of Elagh- widower, died 1878 age 70, dealer (as was Joseph when he married Jane Hamilton in 1883)
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1878/020525/7202625.pdf
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1883/10932/5994351.pdf

https://www.townlands.ie/tyrone/dungannon-upper/arboe/killycolpy/elagh/

[billybrm]

Hi Gaffy and Aghadowey,
Thank you so much for the information you have popsted here, much more than I have ever found out apart from a couple of pieces. I had paid £10 for Joseph's marriage certificate to see if I could get any further information leading to ancestors - where I got William's name.
Regarding Ulsterville Avenue, that is where I lived with my father Ian Baxter, married to Margaret Washington Illingworth, they moved there I believe when my grand parents William Henry and Annie moved to Bangor.
I totally agree about not being Linen Mill owners I have asked others at museums and a Linen Mill Society and there was no record anywhere.
Thanks again for your help, all added to my tree in Ancestry.
Looking for William Baxter's wife and their ancestors next hopefully.
Regards
Billy