The family of Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor, Billy Parish, Co Antrim, Ireland

This branch of the Boyd family in Co Antrim descended from Robert, son of Archibald Boyd of Underhill, West Kilbride Ayrshire and Carncullagh, Derrykeighan Parish, Co Antrim. We have previously written of Robert Boyd in the post on the Boyds of Clontyfinnan and Mount Edwards so we will begin with his son Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor, Billy Parish, Co Antrim.

Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor, Billy Parish, Co Antrim (d. c1707-22)

Whilst researching Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor and his descendants the over arching theme of this family is its association with the Presbyterian Church. Indeed this association has been very helpful in tracing the various descendants and also in providing sources which may not have been found otherwise.

The earliest record we can clearly connect with Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor is in his role as co-executor in the prerogative will of Catherine Cornwall nee Hamilton¹ of Maddybenny, Ballyaghran Parish, Co Londonderry dated 7 November 1693. An abstract of the will etc. was made by Phillip Crossle:-

“Prerogative Will, dated 7 Nov 1693, codicil 7 Nov 1693; probate 20 Nov 1697 to Hugh Boyd.
Catherine Cornwall of Madebenny, widow. To my son Samuel Cornwall the Church land lease. To my son Josiah Cornwall², my daughter Mary Harper, my son Wm Cornwall³. Bond due to me by my brother Wm Hamilton, late of Kinard⁴. My lease of Madeybenny to be sold. Exors are to be John Abernethy⁵of Coleraine, Robert Craighead⁶of Londonderry, Hugh Boyd of Belenegor, Archibald Boyd of Leverny both in Co. Antrim. Witnesses: James Whyte, James Bare, Hector Paton.
Codicil dated 7 Nov 1693. Wm Swan to be paid his debt out of the Church land rents.
Renunciation dated 24 Nov 1693 by John Abernethy of Coleraine, gent, Archibald Boyd of Liverny, Co Antrim of executorship of will of Catherine Cornwall late of Madeybenny, co Londonderry, widow, deceased, recites that the other exors were Hugh Boyd of Belenegor, Co Antrim & Robert Craighead of Londonderry, gent.
Renunciation dated 5 June 1696 by Robert Craighead, witnessed by James Corry at Coleraine. Affidavit of Jean Nelson of Maherboy, Co Derry, spinster, dated 9 Nov 1697 proving codicil. Affidavit of John Harper dated 9 Nov 1697 to same effect, both taken before J Donaldson & Wm Boyd.”

This marvellous document, which reads like a whose who of early presbyterianism in north Ulster, is typical of the close circle that surrounded the presbyterian families of Ulster at this time. The Archibald Boyd of Liverny referred to in the transcript above is almost certainly the brother of Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor. It is interesting to note that as executors withdrew from the will our subject became the sole surviving executor by 5 June 1696. Our next source again relates to the will of Catherine Cornwall and remarkably we note the survival of an original document amongst the archives at PRONI.⁷

The document dated 20 February 1699/1700 is in regards to Hugh’s responsibility as sole remaining executor to the will of Catherine Cornwall and in that role he is responsible for conveying a legacy to Josias Cornwall as follows:-

“Wheras Catherine Cornwall late of Madeybenny in the County of Antrim Londonderry widdow by her last Will and Testament bearing date the Seventh day of November one thousand Six hundred nynety and three did leave to her son Samuel Cornwall her Church land lease in the County of Tyrone the said Samuel Cornwall paying to her Son Josias Cornwall twelve pounds ten shillings Ster: and to her Daughter Mary Harper twenty seven pounds ten shillings Ster: which sums were to be paid before the said Samuel Should enter to receive any Rent with several other Legacies, and in the Said Will She did nominate and appoint Mr John Abernety of Colrayne, Arch: Boyd of Liverine Mr Robert Craighead of Londonderry and Hugh Boid of Belenygore her Executors and whereas I the said Hugh Boyd have taken upon methe Executorship and Execution of the said Will the rest of the Said Executors having renounced the same.
Now know all men by these presents that I the abovenamed Hugh Boid do hereby acknowledge to have received of the said Samuel Cornwall full payment and Satisfaction of the said Sum of twelve pounds and ten shill: payable to Josias Cornwall abovenamed and of the Said Sum of twenty seven pounds ten shillings payable to Mary Harper as abovesaid, and I do hereby for me my Executors Administrators and Assigns fully freely and clearly exonerate acquitt and discharge the said Samuel Cornwall his heirs Executors and Administrators of the said Sums of twelve pounds and ten shillings and twenty seven pounds and ten shillings Ster for ever, and I do hereby give grant assign and make over unto the said Samuel Cornwall his Executors Adms and Assigns my full right title claim and interest in and to the abovementioned Church land lease according to the ***** intent and meaning of the abovementioned last Will and Testament of the abovenamed catherine Cornwall, In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and Seale this twentieth day of ffebruary in the year of our Lord God one thousand Six hundred nynety and nyne 1699
Memorandum the words Londonderry above the first lyne and the word Will between the eleventh and twelth lynes abovewritten were Interlyned before Signing and Sealing hereof

Signed Sealed and delivered Hugh Boyd
in presence of

Jo: Cornwall
Rob: Walker
James ff****“

This original document contains both the signature and seal of our subject, a very forunate survival in terms of Irish historical research for this period.

Close examination of the seal reveals that it has not entirely survived to give up all its details but it would appear that it contains a fess chequy and two mullets and a crescent in chief. There is a suggestion of a saltire interlocking the fess chequy and base but it is difficult to be certain and such decoration would be more suggestive of personalisation rather than a typical coat of arms.

We next see Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor in the role of executor in the will of his brother William Boyd of Clontyfinnan dated 28 March 1707 as detailed in our previous post. This is followed by two documented appearences as an elder at the meeting of the Synod of Ulster on 1 June 1708 alongside Thomas Sterling⁸, Minister and on 19 June 1711 as a Ruling Elder, again alongside Thomas Stirling. Thomas Stirling was Minister of the Presbyterian Congregation of Derrykeighan, Co Antrim (1703-18), later known as the Presbyterian Congregation of Dervock who celebrated their 375th anniversary in 2021.

Sadly we find nothing more on Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor after 1711 and as he makes no appearence in the Will of his brother Archibald Boyd of Lisconnan (1716) we must presume he died sometime (1711-1716). Unfortunately no record of a will has been found and there is no record in the relevant indexes for the Diocese of Connor which we can be certain of, although a bond for a Hugh Boyd of Derrykeighan in 1722 is a possibility.

As with brothers William Boyd of Clontyfinnan and Archibald Boyd of Lisconnan we can fortunatley turn to the Dobbs Report as detailed in previous posts to obtain more information on the family of Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor. On page (6) of the report it states:-

“Hugh had two sons, Joseph, and Archibald, and two daughters, Lilias and Rose.“

Another daughter, Margaret has been indentified from other sources. We will now follow the lines of these children in turn.

Joseph Boyd (c1688-1774), Apothecary Surgeon of Armagh son of Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor

Returning to the Dobbs report again on page (6) it further states:-

“Beatrix, the daughter of Joseph, married Robert Boyd…Their children John, Martin, Isabella, Beatrix and Francis…Christian and Joseph, the children of John, last mentioned…Robert Boyd, and Beatrix his wife, had another Christian, who married Pigot Agnew; their children Beatrix, Harriet, James and Christian….“

From this information we can prepare an initial family tree for the line of Joseph Boyd as follows (see below)

This base information was hugely important in identifying and proving the lineage from additional sources although remembering that the Dobbs report was focused on those surviving family lines in 1796 who qualifed as being necessitous.

The distinctly named Pigott Agnew was quickly identified from an entry in the Marriage License Indexes for the Diocese of Armagh in 1777 in which his intended was one Christianna Boyd, not the same as stated by Dobbs but a close match. With an Armagh Diocese connection, likely where Christianna was resident at the time, a search of records in this part of Ulster revealed a Deed Memorial⁹ dated 16 May 1750 in which property in the Manor of Caledon, Co Tyrone was being leased by the Earl and Countess of Orrery to a Joseph Boyd, Apothecary on the lives of daughters Beatrix, Margaret and Mary. We then find an entry¹⁰ in the will indexes for a Beatrix Boyd of Moy dated 31 March 1809 and finally in two deed memorials¹¹ a Robert Boyd resident and in business as a merchant in Moy, Co Tyrone with brother John. Confident of having identified Joseph Boyd, Apothecary of Armagh as the son of Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor as mentioned in the Dobbs report, further sources allowed us to document much of his life.

The earliest source we find for Joseph Boyd in Armagh comes from a work by TGF Paterson on ‘Presbyterianism in Armagh’, in which, regarding the erection of a new church in 1722 he states:

“The documents in question tell us that John Maxwell of College Hall, Esq., leased the ground on which it was built on the 15th May, 1722, to James Johnston of Knappagh and Quinton Scott of Ballyrath, gents., to hold for the lives of Joseph Johnston, grandson of said James, John Hutcheson, son of John Hutcheson, Ballyrea, and Thomas Kenedy, son of John Kenedy of Edenderry. The bounds of the plot are carefully set out in the original and delineate the School House Lane on the north – the home of the earlier Royal School. On 20th May, 1723, a secondary contract was drawn up whereby Johnston and Scott acknowledged that the premises were taken by them in trust at the request of John Hutcheson of
Ballyrea, Arthur Graham of Ballyheridan, gent., George Stone, Alexander Johnston and Walter Master, merchants, Joseph Boyd, apothecary, all of the town of Armagh, Joseph Johnston of Knappagh, William Brown of Aghafin, James Stephenson of Killyfaddy, James Kernochan of Drumbee, junior, George Robinson of Cavanacaw, John Dickie of Cabragh, David Johnston of Tereskane, all in County Armagh, gents. or any nine of them and their heirs to whom the said James Johnston and Quinton Scott should assign the said lease for the benefit of the congregation of Protestant Dissenters of the Presbyterian denomination which usually meets for public worship in the town of Armagh. Many years later, in 1785, Lord Farnham sold to James Johnston the parcel on which the Meeting House and other dwellings are – thus releasing the property to Johnston for ever free of rent., and thereby ensuring its continuance to its original use.”

A few years later we believe Joseph Boyd married Christian Kilpatrick, daughter of Rev Hugh Kilpatrick¹² of Ballymoney, Co Antrim probably c1725 at which time Joseph was around 36 years old and Christian perhaps in her early 20s. Before we go any further it is important to address the name of Joseph’s wife.

Her first name has not been found on any sources but it is believed that her name was likely Christian from the naming of her and Joseph’s eldest daughter Christianna and also that she had a cousin Christian who had married Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, Scotland in 1692. Regarding her surname we know that she was a daughter of Rev Hugh Kilpatrick and further research confirms that they were descended from the family of Patrick of Trearne, Hessilhead & Overmains in Ayrshire Scotland¹³. This is confirmed by “letters to Sir John Clerk in 1696 from James Kilpatrick, minister of Carrington¹⁴; Christian Kilpatrick, his daughter, wife of Sir John; Andrew Rogers¹⁵, minister of Galston, nephew of James; and Hugh Kilpatrick, minister at Bellimonie in Ireland, brother of James, on illness and death of said James“¹⁶ The entry in Burkes suggests that the descendants of James Patrick portioner of Byres of Kilwinning, Ayrshire which includes brothers Hugh and James took the name Kilpatrick. We have compiled a tree accordingly as seen below. It is likely that when Rev Dr James (1676-1743) took the name Kirkpatrick in his lifetime that this confused earlier researchers from making the required connections.

Returning to Joseph Boyd and wife Christian we find evidence of their first child in Hugh Kirkpatrick Boyd who was baptised in 1st Armagh Presbyterian Church on 8 October 1726. Although, as has been shown previously, Hugh’s mother’s maiden name was Kilpatrick, Hugh’s second christian name may have been taken in honour of his uncle, Rev James Kirkpatrick¹⁷ who by the time of his baptism was a former Moderator and an eminent name among presbyterianism in Ireland and beyond. This was not least for his work ‘Historical essay upon the loyalty of presbyterians in Great Britain and Ireland‘. The earliest baptisms recorded in the session book of 1st Armagh Presbyterian Church cover the years 1707-29 and that of Hugh Kirkpatrick Boyd is the only Boyd baptism were the father is recorded as Joseph which would seem to confirm Joseph’s marriage to Christian prior to that date. The names of their remaining children were Joseph Jnr, Christiana, Isabella, Beatrix, Margaret and Mary. All of these children we will cover later in the post.

Joseph Boyd, Apothecary of Armagh appears as a witness to two indentures in the 1720s¹⁸ but more significantly he appears as co-executor in the will of his brother-in-law James Walkinshaw of Drumart, Co Armagh in 1736.¹⁹ James Walkinshaw had married Joseph’s sister Margaret who was co-executor of her husband’s will. The will was summarised²⁰ as follows:-

“545 WALKINSHAW, JAMES, Dromart, Co. Armagh, gent.
23 Oct. 1736. Narrate, 1/2 p., 3 March 1736/37.
His wife Margaret Walkinshaw, exor. His only son James Walkinshaw, under twentyone years. His brother-in-law Joseph Boyd of Armagh, apothecary, exor. Testator’s said wife, James Kirkpatrick
and Joseph Boyd, guardians of his said son and six daughters. His then dwellinghouse, land etc. in Dromart.
Witnesses : William Pye, Armagh, gardener, James Hardy, Dromart, Co. Armagh, gent., Christian Montgomery now wife of John Elliott near Banbridge, Co. Down, farmer.
Memorial witnessed by : Hugh Provand, Dublin, druggist, John Moffitt, Dublin, gent.
87, 69, 60616 Joseph Boyd (seal)”

By 1739 Joseph had taken leases for substantial premises near the market square in Armagh. From rental records²¹ of the See of Armagh we can see an entry stating that these were for a term of 40 years at a rent totalling £5 per annum from 1 November 1739. Joseph as Apothecary of Armagh witnesses a further indenture²² in 1742 before he is apparently mentioned as a party to a deed with William Agnew of Dyan, Co Tyrone. This was followed in 1750 by the earlier mentioned deed from the Earl and Countess of Orrery for land in Kilmore, Co Armagh.

By 1750 Joseph Boyd Snr was in his early sixties and was likely thinking of retirement. His links to land acquisitions seem to suggest his apothecary business in Armagh had been quite lucrative. He had been able to support a family of at least seven children. However he would work on many more years until on 14 June 1768 we note an advert in the Belfast News-Letter. The advert notes the intention that his business would be taken over by leonard Dobbin as a going concern.

Finally on 1 February 1774 we find a brief notice in the Belfast News-Letter.

It is not known when Joseph Boyd Snr’s wife Christian died and his grave only appears to record his death and that of his son Joseph Jnr. It only remains to record the family tree (below) of Joseph Boyd Snr, his wife Christian Kilpatrick and their children and detail what is known of their lives and families.

Hugh Kirkpatrick Boyd (1726-c1770), son of Joseph Boyd Snr and Christian Kilpatrick

Apart from his baptism in the Presbyterian congregation of Armagh on 2 October 1726 we know very little of Hugh Kirkpatrick Boyd. His name has not been identified on any leases thus far and it is likely he died before his brother Joseph Jnr. This may be inferred from a Deed Memorial²³ of 1874 in which an earlier indenture of 1793 is mentioned recording that Mary Boyd was administrator of Joseph Boyd (her father the apothecary). Regardless, enough information has survived suggesting he lived sufficient years to marry and a daughter Beatrice was the issue of the marriage. Unfortunatley the name of Hugh’s wife is unknown. It was with the marriage of Beatrice to an independent evangelical minister Rev William Brown that we can be thankful for the story of this branch. For a more detailed examination of the family we would recommend viewing the work of Rev John Macmillan published by Creggan Local History Society and more recent research published by Sharon Oddie Brown.

Joseph Boyd Jnr (c1728-1771), son of Joseph Boyd Snr and Christian Kilpatrick

Sadly there is very little known of Joseph Boyd Jnr and what we do know comes from a transcription of his gravestone²⁴ by TGF Paterson, former Curator of Armagh County Museum. Unfortunately by the time Paterson had identified the grave wear was so substantial as to mask much of the important information. Joseph Boyd Jnr was buried with his father whom he predeceased.

“Herelyeth the body of Joseph Boyd Jr, who departed this life the [?] of Feb 17[?] aged [?] Also the body of Joseph Boyd, his father, who departed this life…“

We do know that Joseph Boyd Jnr had produced a will as it was recorded in the indexes of the Prerogative Court of Armagh with the date of 27 April 1770 suggesting that he had perhaps died in February 1771.

Christiana Boyd (c1730-1807), daughter of Joseph Boyd Snr and Christian Kilpatrick

The are limited sources found for Christianna (sometimes recorded as Christian) in her lifetime. One such source was a deed, Memorial No. 308754 dated 29 August 1794 in which John Boyd of Dublin (nephew of Christianna) and his wife Ann nee Robinson, daughter of Dr Arthur Robinson M.D. (c1705-83) of Wood Park, Tynan, Co Armagh, convey lands in the Parish of Mullaghbrack, Co Armagh to Christianna which relate to the will of the late Dr Arthur Robinson. Christianna is recorded as a spinster and we must assume she remained so until her death in March 1807 as recorded in the Belfast Newsletter on the 27th March.

Isabella Boyd (c1732-1774), daughter of Joseph Boyd Snr and Christian Kilpatrick

Unlike some of her siblings we have more information for the life of Isabella, not least her marriage to William McGeough of Drumsill, Co Armagh which is proved by a settlement²⁵ dated 4 November 1769.

We know that Isabella and her husband William McGeough had a number of children who can be seen in the tree below. William McGeough had previously married Elizabeth Bond daughter of Walter Bond but she died in 1765 leaving an only son, Joshua (1747-1817)²⁶. His descendants were the McGeough-Bond family of the Argory, Co Armagh. Isabella left a will which was proved in Armagh in 1774.

Mary Boyd (c1730-1825), daughter of Joseph Boyd Snr and Christian Kilpatrick

Mary like her sister Christianna remained a spinster and again like her sister with the death of their father and brothers it fell to them to be the bedrock of the family. As mentioned earlier it appears Mary was administrator to her father’s will and various deed memorials suggest she lived in the centre of Armagh in likely comfortable circumstances. Perhaps the most remarkable thing however is the lengthy obituary published in the Belfast Commercial Chronicle on 5 February 1825 (below).

Beatrix Boyd (c1736-1809), daughter of Joseph Boyd Snr and Christian Kilpatrick

As mentioned previously Beatrix was identified initially through the Dobbs Report which records her and her descendents that were living in 1796 as recipients of the Hutcheson Charity. Some time during the 1750s it appears she married Robert Boyd, a mechant of Moy, Co Tyrone. Robert Boyd’s ancestry is unknown but we do know that he was in business with his probably elder brother John. It is likely that Robert was a relative of Beatrix and certainly evidence of other Boyd family marriages would suggest that they may even have been cousins.

The exact date of Beatrix and Robert’s marriage is unknown, however from the death notice of their daughter Martha in 1836²⁷ at the age of seventy five, would suggest they were married c1759. The earliest Deed Memorial²⁸ found for Robert Boyd is 1752, in which he leases for lives, property in Moy, Co Tyrone from James Caulfeild, 4th Viscount and later 1st Earl of Charlemont. The lease mentions that Robert’s brother Francis, then aged twenty, was one of the lives on the lease.

The business operated by John and Robert Boyd in Moy, Co Tyrone was likely a general merchants, fairly typical for the time. The location in Moy and on the other side of the Blackwater River, Charlemont gave merchants access to the Newry Canal opened in 1749. Using the river and canal gave merchants access north to Dungannon and the coal fields and south to Newry and the sea. Despite this prime location it appears business was far from plain sailing as can be seen from an advert in the Belfast News-Letter on 26 may 1778 (below).

The advert provides no reason or background for the sale but it may have been an indicator of financial difficulties. The situation is revealed in a deed²⁹ dated 17 September 1795 whereby property in the Moy, Co Tyrone is conveyed by Mary Boyd, Beatrix’s sister, to Richard Bryans of Moy, in which reference is made to a Commission of Bankruptcy on 19/20th December 1784 against Robert and John Boyd following which Mary Boyd secured property in the Moy for £250 from the Bankruptcy Commissioners as the highest bider by auction. So it would appear that John and Robert Boyd in 1778 may have been attempting to avoid bankruptcy in the auction of 1778 but by 1784 they had both been declared bankrupt. Beatrix’s sister Mary then appears to have intervened in at least some of the property held by the commissioners. It is not known when Robert Boyd died but a prerogative will for Beatrix was registered in Armagh in 1809. A family tree for Beatrix, her husband Robert and their children is given below.

Regarding the children of Beatrix and Robert Boyd, John was a merchant in Dublin for a time and married Ann daughter of Dr Arthur Robinson of Wood park, Tynan, Co Armagh. Their children Christina and Joseph are recorded as recipients of the Hutcheson Charity. Martha remained a spinster and died in Moy, Co Tyrone on 19 January 1836. Rev William Brown was the administrator of her will and it is likely that any remaining estate and possessions of the Boyd family passed through her to Rev William Brown and his family. Of the remaining children we can say that Francis was named as a replacement life for Joseph Boyd Jnr in 1775 regarding a lease³⁰ of land in Kilmore, Co Armagh originally taken by Joseph Boyd Snr from the Earl and Countess of Orrery in 1750. Christianna married Pigott Agnew who was a Surveyor of Excise in Co Wicklow. However he was murdered on Christmas Day 1800. Christianna and Pigot’s children appear to have been recipients of the Hutcheson Charity. Finally Joseph may be the Joseph Boyd believed to have been a Surveyor residing in Coragh, Co Armagh who married Elizabeth Farlow in 1781.

Margaret Boyd (c1738-1811), daughter of Joseph Boyd snr and Christian Kilpatrick

Limited information is available for Margaret, likely youngest child of Joseph Boyd Snr, but it would appear she married Benjamin Hone of Dougher, Co Armagh, Linen draper, as evidenced by a deed memorial³¹dated 10/11th October 1760. It is thought Margaret died, probably in Dougher, Lurgan, Co Armagh on 18 July 1811.

Archibald Boyd, son of Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor, Co Antrim

Unfortunately not much is known of the descendants of Archibald at this time. However a family tree can be created from the information within the Dobbs Report.

Lilias Boyd, daughter of Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor

Unfortunately dates of birth, marriage and death have not survived for Lilias Boyd. However information from the Dobbs Report provided the basis for developing a fairly extensive family tree.

In keeping with the strong Presbyterian connections of her father there is no suprise in discovering that Lilias married Rev Thomas Sterling⁸ son of Rev Robert Stirling³³ and minister to the Presbyterian congregation of Derrykeighan / Dervock, Co Antrim. We know that Rev Thomas Sterling died on 20 November 1718 and his grave is found beside that of Katherine Peebles in old Derrykeighan graveyard, Co Antrim. Sadly however as recorded by Dorothy Arthur³⁴ “All trace of the letters and the arms on the stone, which is now broken, are undecipherable“.

Lilias and her husband Rev Thomas Stirling had at least four children that we know of James, Lilias Jnr, Margaret and Mary. These children and their descendants are included in the Dobbs Report up to 1796 but further research has revealed additional descendants where possible. These are shown beow as a series of family trees.

Mary Stirling is recorded in the Dobbs Report as marrying Thomas Fowler and by 1796 they had one known son Andrew who was a likely recipient of the Hutcheson Charity.

Rose Boyd, daughter of Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor

Rose, as with most of her siblings, is listed in the Dobbs Report as marrying an Alexander Boyd who we believe was from Armoy, Co Antrim, although from which Boyd family has not yet been ascertained. A tree of the family as documented in the Dobbs Report up to 1796 is shown below.

Margaret Boyd, daughter of Hugh Boyd of Ballynagor

Similar to brother Joseph and sister Lilias we once again find a family tie to Presbyterian heritage. The will of James Walkinshaw of Dromart, Co Armagh dated 23 October 1736 is a wonderful survivor in the Deed Memorials³⁵ of Ireland and other records. It clearly states that James’ wife was Margaret and his brother-in-law was non other than Joseph Boyd, Apothecary of Armagh. Joseph also performed the role of co-executor to the will and co-guardian of the seven children along with sister Margaret and brother-in-law Rev James Kirkpatrick.

Research into the Walkinshaw family in Scotland suggests an earlier Walkinshaw-Boyd connection in the marriage of Isabel Boyd of Clerkland, Stewarton, Ayrshire and Rev Patrick Walkinshaw M.A. (1559-1624), minister of Stevenston, Kilmarnock & Monkland. Research into the Boyds of Portencross, West Kilbride, Ayrshire has shown regular contact with the Boyds of Clerkland and Hullerhill, Ayrshire in the 16th century. Work on the Walkinshaw family is ongoing but a working tree with notes is shown below.

1. Catherine Hamilton – daughter of John Hamilton of Priestfield, Lanarkshire, Scotland & Ballyfatten, Co Tyrone, Ireland, wife of Rev Gabriel Cornwall of Madebenny, Ballyaghran Parish, Co Londonderry, Minister of the Presbyterian Congregation of Ballywillan, Co Antrim. She was also sister of Capt. William Hamilton of Kinard (Caledon), Co Tyrone, Ireland (d.c1672) ↩︎
2. CORNWALL, JOSIAS; s. of Rev. Gabriel Cornwall, Ballywilin; educ. Glas. 1699; lic. Monaghan Pres. 1702; ord. Aghalurcher (Cavanaleck), 21 May 1704; sided with the non-subscribers; dep. 26 Dec. 1728; restored by Monaghan Pres. 21 May 1738, but never had another charge – Fasti of the Irish Presbyterian Church 1613-1840, McConnell ↩︎
3. CORNWALL, WILLIAM: s. of Rev. Gabriel Cornwall, Ballywillin; educ. Glas. 1687; lic. Route Pres.; ord. Clogher, 1695; res. 1718; emigrated to New Hampshire on report received from Rev. Wm. Boyd (q.v.); Casco Bay 1718-20. “The emigrants for Casco Bay (now Portland, Maine), having embarked late in the season, suffered severely during the winter, and most of them passed the winter on board the ships. They suffered for want of provisions, and the General Court of Mass. sent them one hundred bushels of meal. They decided in the spring not to remain in that locality, and returned, arriving at Haverhill, Mass., 13 April, 1719”. Mr. Cornwall returned to Ireland; was present at Derry Sub-Syn. 14 May 1723; not a member of any of its Presbys. then; ins. Taughboyne (North side), i.e. St. Johnston, 1723. Had to defend a lawsuit brought against him by Rev. R. Darragh, 1724; at G. S. 1727; joined Tyrone Pres. 1729. Died 13 March 1735, int. Tullyniskan. [Reff.: Mins. Derry Sub-Syn.: Hist. of Windham, N.H] – Fasti of the Irish Presbyterian Church 1613-1840, McConnell ↩︎
4. Hamilton memoirs : being historical and genealogical notices of a branch of that family which settled in Ireland in the reign of King James I, (Dundalk 1920), Evrard Hamilton, Chap. III ↩︎
5. ABERNETHY, JOHN : b. Scotland cir. 1630; educ. King’s Coll., Aberdeen, 1648-52; ord. Aghaloo (Minterburn), ‘1659, John Abernethy was Commonwealth Minister here on the tithes” (Commonwealth Papers, P.R.O.); 1660 “Desertlyn and part of Lissan was possest by one Abernethie put in by the Presbyterians” (Eccl. Colln., Bundle 40, 75, P.R.O.), cf. Leslie, p. 221; ejected for non-conformity in 1661; succeeded Rev. Archd. Hamilton, who died in 1674, in Brigh; in 1684 accepted a call to Moneymore in preference to one from Antrim; deputed to go to London in 1689 to congratulate William, Prince of Orange, on his arrival, and to encourage him in his enterprise; Mod. of the Gen. Synod, 1691-2; inst. at Coleraine, 1 Nov. 1691; died 14 Nov. 1703.
   He mar. a dau. of Mr. John Walkinshaw, Renfrewshire, and sister of Rev. W. Walkinshaw, Benburb (1673-77). Rev. John Abernethy (1680-1740), Antrim and Dublin, founder of the “Belfast Society” and author of celebrated sermons, was his son. John Abernethy, the celebrated London surgeon, was grandson of the latter. [Reff. : Cf, Killen, Hist. of Congns.: Hist. and Lit, Memorials, i, 193-4: Irish Pres., June 1909, p. 92: Mins. of the Antrim Meeting : Macilwain, Biog. of Abernethy]- Fasti of the Irish Presbyterian Church 1613-1840, McConnell ↩︎
6. CRAGHEAD, ROBERT: b. Scotland, 1633; educ. St. Andrews; M.A. (St. And.) 1653; ord. Donoughmore, Co. Donegal, received the tithes in Dec. 1658; dep. for non-conformity 1661, but
   continued to minister; went to Scotland, officiated in. Glasgow, 1689-90; inst. Derry (1st) 1690; took part in a keen controversy with Dr. King, Bp. of Derry, 1694-7; returned to Scotland, 1698, was adm. Blackfriars, Glasgow, 1698; ret. to Derry cir. 1699; Oct. 1699, Derry asked Laggan Presby. for an assist. to Mr. Craghead ; died at Derry, 22 Aug. 1711, aged cir. 68. He was author of several theological works. Appointed by G.S, to prepare “Part of the History” of the Church.
   He mar. Agnes, dau. of Rev. John Hart, Taughboyne. Rev. Robt. Craghead, Capel St., Dublin (1709-1738), and Rev. Thos. Craghead, Castlederg and U.S.A.,,and Samuel Craghead were sons. [Reff.: Scott, Fasti (o.e.), ii, 16, 18; (n:e.) iii, 398; vii, 527: Hist. and Lit. Memorials, i, 88-92 : Mins, of Gen. Syn.: A/22, f. 14a.]- Fasti of the Irish Presbyterian Church 1613-1840, McConnell ↩︎
7. PRONI Ref. DIO/4/5/5 ↩︎
8. STIRLING, THOMAS; s. of Rev. Robt. Stirling, Dervock (1635-99); educ. Glas. 1692; lic. Route Pres. 13 May 1702; ord. Dervock, 22 June 1703; retused to take Abjuration Oath & was prosecuted; mar. Mary Wallace, Faughanvale, 1709; d. 20 Nov. 1718. from ‘Fasti of the Irish Presbyterian Church 1613-1840, McConnell’, p.122 ↩︎
9. Irish Deed Memorial 102921 ↩︎
10. Ireland Diocesan And Prerogative Wills & Administrations Indexes 1595-1858 ↩︎
11. Irish Deed Memorials 104369 – 30 May 1752 & 316941 – 17 September 1795 ↩︎
12. KIRKPATRICK, HUGH; b. Dumfrieshire, Scotland, ord. cir. 1665; ins. Lurgan, 1685; officiated at Dalry, Ayrshire, 1688-91; adm. Old Cumnock, 13 Jan. 1692; ins. Ballymoney, 1693; Modr. of Gen.. Synod 1699, Died 1 April 1712. Rev. James Kirkpatrick, author of Presbyterian Loyalty ” was a son, and Joseph Boyd, Surgeon, Armagh, was a son-in-law. [Reff.: Minutes of Route Presby.: Scott’s Fasti, iti, 25, vii, 531. ] from ‘Fasti of the Irish Presbyterian Church 1613-1840, McConnell’, p.70 ↩︎
13. Burke’s Landed Gentry), Vol. 2, (1835 edition) Pg 471-473 ↩︎
14. KILPATRICK, JAMES; s. of James (or Patrick) of Byres, Kilwinning ; ord. Carrington, Scotland, 28 June 1660; deposed for non-conformity, 1662, and came to Ireland; ins. Maghera, 1668, returned to Carrington, June 1688; restored by Act of Parliament 25 April 1690; mar. 1691, Helen Kerr, widow of Rev. Geo. Johnston, Newbattle; Member of Gen. Assembly (Scot.) 1690, 1692. Died 4 July 1696. Sir John Clerk, Bart., Pennicuik, was a son-in-law. [Reff.: Bp. King’s Second Admonition, p. 8 : Scott’s Fasti (n.e.) i, 305: Evangelical Witness, 1868, pp. 68, 317.] from ‘Fasti of the Irish Presbyterian Church 1613-1840, McConnell’, p.70 ↩︎
15. ANDREW ROGERS, licen. by Presb. of Glasgow 13th May 1689 ; called Aug. 1691 ; ord. 4th May 1692 ; died between 5th March and 2nd April 1735, “a man of eminent and distinguished worth.” He marr. Julian, daugh. of Quintin Mcllvain of Grimmet.— [.Ayr Sheriff-Court Books, 14th Oct. 1712.] – Fastii Eclesiae Scoticanae Vol III – Glasgow & Ayr, p.40 ↩︎
16. National Records of Scotland NRS Ref. GD18/5200 ↩︎
17. KIRKPATRICK, JAMES; s. of Rev. Hugh Kirkpatrick, Lurgan and Ballymoney; b. 1676; educ. Glas. 1691; Lic. Route Pres. 1697; ord. Templepatrick O.C., 7 Aug. 1699; member of the “Belfast Society”, res. 24 Sept. 1706; ins. Beltast, 1706 ; became minr. of 2nd Belfast (now All Souls) 1708; Modr. of Gen. Syn. 1712; withdrew from Gen. Syn. to Non-Sub. Pres. of Antrim, 1726; M.D., D.D. (Glas.) 1732. Died while on a visit to Dublin, 1743. Author of a “Presbyterian Loyalty” (1713) and other works chiefly in defence of Non-Subscription. [Reff.: Hist. &. Lit. Memls. i, 156: Dict. Nat. Biog. xxxi, 220: Ulster Biog. Sketches. from ‘Fasti of the Irish Presbyterian Church 1613-1840, McConnell’, p.107. See also Dictionary of Irish Biography ↩︎
18. Irish Deed Memorials 40343 & 41244 ↩︎
19. Ibid 60616 ↩︎
20. Registry of Deeds Dublin – Abstracts of Wills Vol 1, 1708-45, p.235, No.545 ↩︎
21. Armagh County Museum – Abstracts from the Rentals of the Archbishops of Armagh 1615-1746 – p.232 ↩︎
22. Irish Deed Memorial 75124 ↩︎
23. Ibid 108, 26 November 1874 ↩︎
24. St Patricks Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh, said to be adjacent 4th window and second from path in a notebook belonging to TGF Paterson held in Armagh County Museum ↩︎
25. Irish Deed Memorial 178008 ↩︎
26. https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/564846 ↩︎
27. Newry Telegraph – 26 January 1836 ↩︎
28. Irish Deed Memorial 104369 ↩︎
29. PRONI Ref. D1790/4 ↩︎
30. Irish Deed Memorial 102920 ↩︎
31. Ibid 137423 ↩︎
32. STIRLING, THOMAS; s. of Rev. Robt. Stirling, Dervock (1635-99); educ. Glas. 1692; lic. Route Pres. 13 May 1702; ord. Dervock, 22 June 1703; retused to take Abjuration Oath & was prosecuted; mar. Mary Wallace, Faughanvale, 1709; d. 20 Nov. 1718. from ‘Fasti of the Irish Presbyterian Church 1613-1840, McConnell’, p.122 ↩︎
33. STIRLING, ROBERT: s. of Alex. Stirling, farmer, Stewarton, Ayrshire ; b. 1635: ; educ. Glasggow; M.A. (Glas.) 1654 ; ord. Derrykeichan (Dervock); adm. at Stevenston, Ayrshire, 1689 ; recalled to Dervock, 1695. Died 1699: He mar. Marian Campbell. Rev. John Stirling, Ballykelly (1699-1752), and Rev. Thos. Stirling, Dervock (1703-18), were sons. John Stirling, M.A., prin. of Glas. Univ. (1704-27), was a nephew. [Reff.: Reid, ii, 520: Wodrow’s Analecta: Scott’s Fasti (n.e.), iii, 123; vii, 533 from ‘Fasti of the Irish Presbyterian Church 1613-1840, McConnell’, p.50 ↩︎
34. Derrykeighan Old Church Graveyard (2012), Grave 122b, pp.102/3. ↩︎
35. Irish Deed Memorial 60616 ↩︎