Hi all: I am new to researching in these parts, and was hoping to see if anyone can help confirm and add to my unravelling of my Gilmores and Wilsons. It has been quite a challenge, but think I have taken it far enough to share and look for feedback!
My Gilmores lived in Ballyagan, so across the river from Inshaleen were there was another large contingent of Gilmores. I have seen some posts related to the Inshaleen Gilmores, particularly from aghadowey, and so perhaps someone either connects to the Ballyagan line or has come across it when sorted out their own Gilmores.
What I have pieced together comes from a combination of the Garvagh visitations (though I understand those can be problematic), church records, civil death registrations, graveyard transcriptions, Griffith's valuations, and probate indices. The highlights are as follows:
1. John Gilmore & Rebecca [------], Ballyagan. John seems to have died between the 1796 and 1818 visitations, while Rebecca ("Widow Gilmore") seems to have died between the 1825 and 1840 visitations. Children include
2. James,
2. John, Anne, Elizabeth, Jane, and, most likely,
2. Thomas.2. James Gilmore & Elizabeth [------], Ballyagan. James died 1847 (probate index has a record of a James Gilmore in Ballyagan in 1847). Elizabeth may have died before 1861 per the valuations (she is listed as tenant from 1859 to 1861). Children include John, James, Anne, Robert, and William.
2. John Gilmore & Margaret [------], Ballyagan. John died 27 Jul 1888 in Ballyagan, reportedly at age 102, and Margaret died there 14 Jan 1881 aged 88. Considering the names of John & Margaret's children, Margaret may have been the youngest daughter of Hugh and (presumably Hugh's wife) Rachel McMullan in Inshaleen listed in the 1796 visitations. Children:
- 3. Rebecca Gilmore, married James Wilson, son of William Wilson in Ballyagan, 28 Mar 1843 at First Garvagh. She died before 1855, as James married second Nancy Alexander 05 Dec 1855 at First Garvagh. Rebecca and James Wilson had children Nancy Wilson (born abt. 1845; died 19 Jul 1913 at Ballyagan; married John Gilmore, son of 2. Thomas 10 Jan 1871 at Aghadowey, so I believe they would have been 1st cousins, once removed), William Wilson (born abt. 1848; died 13 Nov 1918 Movenis; married Emma Louisa Bradshaw 17 Jul 1888 at Portstewart), Margaret Wilson (born abt. 1851; married George Moon 28 Mar 1878 at Third Garvagh, Rachel Wilson (born abt. 1852; married Robert James Maxwell 18 Apr 1878 at Moneydig; died 04 Sep 1925 Peterborough, Ontario, Canada), and John Gilmore Wilson (born abt. 1853; married Annie Stevens/Stephens 25 Mar 1886 at Moneydig; died 05 Jan 1941 Peterborough, Ontario, Canada). John Gilmore Wilson & Annie Stevens is my line.
- 3. Hugh Gilmore, born Ballyagan, baptised 04 Dec 1822 at First Garvagh. Hugh married Jane Wilson 03 Oct 1859 at Third Coleraine. Jane was a daughter of John Wilson and Mary Woodburn, and it appears a first cousin of James who married Rebecca Gilmore in 1843. Jane had first married John Gilmore, son of Robert in Inshaleen, 26 Aug 1845 at Second Garvagh. Hugh died 14 Aug 1908 at Inshaleen.
- 3. Rachel Gilmore, born Ballyagan, baptised 19 May 1825 at First Garvagh. Married Thomas McIlroy 21 Jul 1870 at Moneydig, and died 16 Nov 1895 in Garvagh.
- 3. Mary Ann Gilmore, only know through the 1840 visitations.
- 3. John Gilmore, born Ballyagan, baptised 29 Sep 1830 at First Garvagh, and died unmarried 09 Nov 1898 in Garvagh where he was a grocer. Brother Hugh Gilmore in Inshaleen present at death. Probate calendar indicates administration granted to "James Gilmore of Ballyagan Garvagh said County Farmer the Brother."
- 3. William Gilmore, born Ballyagan, baptised 27 Jun 1834 at First Garvagh. Seems not to be listed in the 1840 visitations. May be the William who died unmarried at age 30 in Ballyagan on 25 Dec 1875.
- 3. James Gilmore, born about 1840. Married Mary Jane Maxwell 02 Oct 1877 at the Registrar's Office in Coleraine. Died 29 Dec 1912 at Ballyagan. Gravestone at First Garvagh.
2. Thomas Gilmore: Though perhaps not certain, the Thomas in Ballyagan baptised 17 Mar 1796 at First Garvagh seems most likely to belong as a brother of
2. James and
2. John. That baptism date would have meant he might have just missed the 1796 visitations. Thomas married Margaret Gilmore 18 Sep 1835 at First Garvagh. Their son
John Gilmore was born Ballyagan, baptised 26 Dec 1836 at First Garvagh, and died 19 Jul 1914 at Ballyagan. As noted above, John married Nancy Wilson, his first cousin, once removed if Thomas' placement is correct.
In Ballyagan, there was at least one other family in the 1840s, that of Robert & Elizabeth Gilmore. I believe that Robert was the son of David, and that David was in all likelihood a brother of
1. John.
The Wilsons are mentioned above, and William, son of the James who married Rebecca Gilmore, and John, father of the Jane who married (2nd) Rebecca's brother Hugh appear to be brothers. I will likely expand on that later!
Does anyone connect to this family, or perhaps have come across details in your own research that could either correct or expand on what I have above (particularly in generations 1 + 2)?
