Samuel McWilliam’s ancestry.
Details for Samuel’s family are known from letters from his father, Samuel senior, and property records in the Public records office of Northern Ireland, (PRONI). History prior to Samuel senior (born 1800) is based upon an oral tradition that he was a direct descendant of an Alexander (or Andrew) McWilliam and his wife, Jane Millar, who emigrated to Larne from Wigtonshire (SW Scotland) about 1700 and who established a Blacksmith’s shop in Old Newtown, Larne. The County Antrim descendants of Alexander and Jane McWilliam appear to have been predominantly mixed farmers, with some emigrating to the USA. However the trade of the “smithy” also persisted at least for a century as the will of Andrew McWilliam (b.c. 1798) older brother of Samuel senior, bequeathed to his son Andrew "all the Smith Tools and Smith shop so long as he works at his trade," together with a farm and houses at Finlay's Town. It also lists his wife, Sarah and other 4 children.
McWilliam Oral history ( purported to come from a Jane Finlay McWilliam ,1853-1938.)
"About the year 1725 a man named Andrew McWilliam, a native of Wigtonshire, Scotland, came to live in Larne. One of his sons named Samuel who was a Blacksmith by trade came to work in Browndodd. He married Mary, daughter of Richard Gordon. They had a family of three sons and three daughters. Their eldest son Alexander married Jane Millar & emigrated to America. The second son Andrew also a Blacksmith married Sarah Drummond of Raloo daughter of Nathaniel Drummond and his wife Elizabeth McCullough of Ballyrickard and granddaughter of William Drummond & his wife Sarah Johnston of Mounthill. Their third son Robert married his cousin Mary Gordon daughter of John Gordon and his wife Isabella Stratchen of Clough.
Their eldest daughter Ellen was the wife of William Whiteford of Ballyvernstown. The second daughter Mary was the wife of Robert Orr of Ballyrickard. The third Janet died in the first year of her marriage to William Bell of Kilwaughter.
The family of the above Samuel McWilliam who lived on the farm in Browndodd are;
Andrew McWilliam (II), born in 1760 married Sarah Drummond in 1788.
Their children
Nathaniel born 6th May 1789 married his cousin Mary Moore in 1816 and emigrated to South Carolina USA.
Mary born 18th March 1791 married John Robinson in 1809.
Elizabeth born 2nd September 1794 married William Henderson in 1814, their family emigrated to South Carolina.
Andrew born 15th January 1798 married Jane Finlay in 1819 the daughter of James Finlay and Janet Fullerton.
Samuel born 1st April 1800 married Elizabeth Crawford in 1826. (Note error in Samuel’s birth date: Family bible page has 28th April!)
Janet born 10th October 1811 married Robert Crawford in 1829.
This oral tradition states that Samuel of Browndodd, a son of Alexander and Jane McWilliam, married Mary Gordon of Browndodd, grand-daughter of John Gordon (d.1710) a son of Viscount Kenmure of Dumfrieshire whose family paid a high price for supporting the Stuart cause (however Sir James Balfour Paul's “Scots Peerage”, whilst recording the execution of the Sixth Viscount Kenmure, said by the McWilliam oral tradition to be brother of John Gordon, has no trace of a Mary Gordon, nor is there evidence of a son of Alexander and Jane McWilliam named Samuel marrying a Mary Gordon of Browndodd). There is evidence of a Robert McWilliam of Browndodd marrying a Mary Gordon but not of their relationship to the MountHill family. This “Samuel of Browndodd” is thought to be the father of Andrew McWilliam, farmer (b.c.1760)
Documents of certain land transactions between Arthur Lord Viscount Dungannon and Andrew McWilliam, farmer, of the town land of Altilevelly and Parish of Raloo, County Antrim, dated 31 October 1814, plus details from the will of Nathaniel Drummond dated 23 February 1796, provide more secure sources to support the oral tradition. If the oral tradition is correct as to the origin of this branch of the McWilliam family in Larne, then the Andrew McWilliam who appears in both documents, in the first as a farmer and in the second as the husband of Sarah Drummond, daughter and beneficiary of Nathaniel Drummond's will, is likely to be the grandson of Alexander and Jane McWilliam the Larne progenitors. The sons of Andrew McWilliam referred to in the Dungannon land transaction were Nathaniel (born c.1789), Andrew (born c.1797) and Samuel (senior) (b. 28 April 1800)
Details of the 1814 lease are
"THIS INDENTURE made the Thirty First day of October in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fourteen BETWEEN the Right Honourable Arthur Lord Viscount Dungannon of the one Part and Andrew McWilliam of the townland of Altilevilly and Parish of Ralloo and County of Antrim farmer of the other Part, WITNESSETH, that the said Lord Viscount Dungannon for and in Consideration of the yearly Rent and Covenants herein after reserved hath demised, granted, set and to farm let, and by these Presents Doth demise, grant, set, and to Farm let, unto the said Andrew McWilliam ALL that and those the piece or parcel of Land or run out Bog containing by Estimation nine acres or thereabouts bounded on the North by the holdings of William Adams Senr. and William Adams Junr. John Buchanan Nathaniel McWilliam and William McDowell; on the East by the Pound of Ralloo; on the West by the farm of James Lyle and on the South by the Holding of James Donald Situate lying and being in the townland of Altilevelly and Parish of Ralloo TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said demised Premises. with the Rights, Members and Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining, unto the said Andrew McWilliam his Exors Admons & Assigns, from the first Day of November Next for and during the natural life or lifes of Nathaniel McWilliam aged about Twenty Six Years; Andrew McWilliam aged about Seventeen Years and Samuel McWilliam aged Fifteen Years all Sons of the Lessee."
It continues about rent and covenants, but the "lease of lives" is one of the important sources about the names and ages of Andrew's family
The will of Nathaniel Drummond made 23 February 1796 refers to his "son-in-law Andrew McWilliam and Sarah his wife (my daughter)". Nathaniel Drummond's other sons-in-law were Thomas Moore married Mary, William Moore married Janet/Jennet, and Thomas McDowell married Jane. When he made his will he had two unmarried daughters, Elizabeth and Isabella, but apparently no sons. He must have died very soon after as probate is dated 30 March 1796.
Samuel’s Uncles and Aunts.
Family born to Andrew McWilliam, farmer, and Sarah Drummond and previously noted above in the “oral tradition” were
Nathaniel (b.6 May 1789) who married Mary Moore
Mary (b.18 Mar. 1791) who married John Robinson;
Elizabeth (b. 2 Sept 1794) who married William Henderson;
Andrew jnr. (b. 15 Jan 1798) blacksmith and farmer who married Jane Finlay;
Samuel (senior, b 28 April 1800), farmer of Mounthill, Ballyrickardmore who married
Elizabeth Crawford (8 Oct 1801-19 April 1872) and was the father to our immigrant Samuel.
Janet, (b. 10 Oct 1811) who married Robert Crawford, a brother to the Elizabeth Crawford who married Samuel senior.
During the 1830s when Ireland was being mapped officially, largely for valuation purposes, 'Memoirs' were written about the physical, social, and economic state of the country, parish by parish. The Raloo Memoir included a list of emigrants from Raloo between 1835 and 1839. These records indicate that in 1838, Nathaniel McWilliam, then aged 49, his wife Mary Moore (aged 44) and children, Jane (14); Sarah (12); Nathaniel jnr. (8) and William (4) all sailed for Charlestown South Carolina. Information from the 1850 DeKalb county, Georgia census for the Panthersville district shows Nathaniel aged in his 60's accompanied by a Jane Moore, aged in her 80's ( mother-in-law?) no mention of his wife, Mary Moore, but 4 children listed as living with them; Eliza J McWilliam 23, Nathaniel 20, William 17, Samuel 12. All listed as born in Ireland excepting Samuel born in South Carolina.
Andrew junior (died 13 October 1871) was a farmer and blacksmith, with a family of 4 sons (Andrew, James, Samuel, Robert ) and one daughter (Sarah) are all mentioned in his will.
Samuel senior (died 18 December 1882) was the third son of Andrew senior and Sarah Drummond and the father of our Samuel who emigrated to Australia. His wife was Elizabeth Crawford (b. 8 October 1801; d.19 April 1872). Elizabeth was the daughter of Matthew and Janet Crawford, the latter being the daughter of the redoubtable Nancy (Nannie) Boyd (b.c.1740), who herself was married to a Thomas Crawford and became a legendary figure during the uprisings of 1798-99. As noted above, Elizabeth’s brother, Robert married Samuel senior’s sister, Janet McWilliam.
Old Raloo Graveyard.
This now abandoned cemetery contains a number of headstones commemorating a number of Samuel’s family. These are listed in the published “Gravestone Inscriptions”, County Antrim, Volume 2, published by the Ulster Historical Foundation. Raloo is a celtic adaption meaning an old moat or fort.
Samuel senior and his wife Elizabeth, along with their son, Matthew are buried in the old Raloo cemetery and there graves are commemorated with a single headstone stating,
'MCWILLIAM Elizabeth, wife of Samuel McWilliam rests here; born 8th. Oct. 1801, died 19th. April 1872. Also the above Samuel McWilliam died 18th Decr. 1882 aged 82 years. Also their son Matthew, died 9th March 1883 aged 42 years'
Details for Samuel’s family are known from letters from his father, Samuel senior, and property records in the Public records office of Northern Ireland, (PRONI). History prior to Samuel senior (born 1800) is based upon an oral tradition that he was a direct descendant of an Alexander (or Andrew) McWilliam and his wife, Jane Millar, who emigrated to Larne from Wigtonshire (SW Scotland) about 1700 and who established a Blacksmith’s shop in Old Newtown, Larne. The County Antrim descendants of Alexander and Jane McWilliam appear to have been predominantly mixed farmers, with some emigrating to the USA. However the trade of the “smithy” also persisted at least for a century as the will of Andrew McWilliam (b.c. 1798) older brother of Samuel senior, bequeathed to his son Andrew "all the Smith Tools and Smith shop so long as he works at his trade," together with a farm and houses at Finlay's Town. It also lists his wife, Sarah and other 4 children.
McWilliam Oral history ( purported to come from a Jane Finlay McWilliam ,1853-1938.)
"About the year 1725 a man named Andrew McWilliam, a native of Wigtonshire, Scotland, came to live in Larne. One of his sons named Samuel who was a Blacksmith by trade came to work in Browndodd. He married Mary, daughter of Richard Gordon. They had a family of three sons and three daughters. Their eldest son Alexander married Jane Millar & emigrated to America. The second son Andrew also a Blacksmith married Sarah Drummond of Raloo daughter of Nathaniel Drummond and his wife Elizabeth McCullough of Ballyrickard and granddaughter of William Drummond & his wife Sarah Johnston of Mounthill. Their third son Robert married his cousin Mary Gordon daughter of John Gordon and his wife Isabella Stratchen of Clough.
Their eldest daughter Ellen was the wife of William Whiteford of Ballyvernstown. The second daughter Mary was the wife of Robert Orr of Ballyrickard. The third Janet died in the first year of her marriage to William Bell of Kilwaughter.
The family of the above Samuel McWilliam who lived on the farm in Browndodd are;
Andrew McWilliam (II), born in 1760 married Sarah Drummond in 1788.
Their children
Nathaniel born 6th May 1789 married his cousin Mary Moore in 1816 and emigrated to South Carolina USA.
Mary born 18th March 1791 married John Robinson in 1809.
Elizabeth born 2nd September 1794 married William Henderson in 1814, their family emigrated to South Carolina.
Andrew born 15th January 1798 married Jane Finlay in 1819 the daughter of James Finlay and Janet Fullerton.
Samuel born 1st April 1800 married Elizabeth Crawford in 1826. (Note error in Samuel’s birth date: Family bible page has 28th April!)
Janet born 10th October 1811 married Robert Crawford in 1829.
This oral tradition states that Samuel of Browndodd, a son of Alexander and Jane McWilliam, married Mary Gordon of Browndodd, grand-daughter of John Gordon (d.1710) a son of Viscount Kenmure of Dumfrieshire whose family paid a high price for supporting the Stuart cause (however Sir James Balfour Paul's “Scots Peerage”, whilst recording the execution of the Sixth Viscount Kenmure, said by the McWilliam oral tradition to be brother of John Gordon, has no trace of a Mary Gordon, nor is there evidence of a son of Alexander and Jane McWilliam named Samuel marrying a Mary Gordon of Browndodd). There is evidence of a Robert McWilliam of Browndodd marrying a Mary Gordon but not of their relationship to the MountHill family. This “Samuel of Browndodd” is thought to be the father of Andrew McWilliam, farmer (b.c.1760)
Documents of certain land transactions between Arthur Lord Viscount Dungannon and Andrew McWilliam, farmer, of the town land of Altilevelly and Parish of Raloo, County Antrim, dated 31 October 1814, plus details from the will of Nathaniel Drummond dated 23 February 1796, provide more secure sources to support the oral tradition. If the oral tradition is correct as to the origin of this branch of the McWilliam family in Larne, then the Andrew McWilliam who appears in both documents, in the first as a farmer and in the second as the husband of Sarah Drummond, daughter and beneficiary of Nathaniel Drummond's will, is likely to be the grandson of Alexander and Jane McWilliam the Larne progenitors. The sons of Andrew McWilliam referred to in the Dungannon land transaction were Nathaniel (born c.1789), Andrew (born c.1797) and Samuel (senior) (b. 28 April 1800)
Details of the 1814 lease are
"THIS INDENTURE made the Thirty First day of October in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fourteen BETWEEN the Right Honourable Arthur Lord Viscount Dungannon of the one Part and Andrew McWilliam of the townland of Altilevilly and Parish of Ralloo and County of Antrim farmer of the other Part, WITNESSETH, that the said Lord Viscount Dungannon for and in Consideration of the yearly Rent and Covenants herein after reserved hath demised, granted, set and to farm let, and by these Presents Doth demise, grant, set, and to Farm let, unto the said Andrew McWilliam ALL that and those the piece or parcel of Land or run out Bog containing by Estimation nine acres or thereabouts bounded on the North by the holdings of William Adams Senr. and William Adams Junr. John Buchanan Nathaniel McWilliam and William McDowell; on the East by the Pound of Ralloo; on the West by the farm of James Lyle and on the South by the Holding of James Donald Situate lying and being in the townland of Altilevelly and Parish of Ralloo TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said demised Premises. with the Rights, Members and Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining, unto the said Andrew McWilliam his Exors Admons & Assigns, from the first Day of November Next for and during the natural life or lifes of Nathaniel McWilliam aged about Twenty Six Years; Andrew McWilliam aged about Seventeen Years and Samuel McWilliam aged Fifteen Years all Sons of the Lessee."
It continues about rent and covenants, but the "lease of lives" is one of the important sources about the names and ages of Andrew's family
The will of Nathaniel Drummond made 23 February 1796 refers to his "son-in-law Andrew McWilliam and Sarah his wife (my daughter)". Nathaniel Drummond's other sons-in-law were Thomas Moore married Mary, William Moore married Janet/Jennet, and Thomas McDowell married Jane. When he made his will he had two unmarried daughters, Elizabeth and Isabella, but apparently no sons. He must have died very soon after as probate is dated 30 March 1796.
Samuel’s Uncles and Aunts.
Family born to Andrew McWilliam, farmer, and Sarah Drummond and previously noted above in the “oral tradition” were
Nathaniel (b.6 May 1789) who married Mary Moore
Mary (b.18 Mar. 1791) who married John Robinson;
Elizabeth (b. 2 Sept 1794) who married William Henderson;
Andrew jnr. (b. 15 Jan 1798) blacksmith and farmer who married Jane Finlay;
Samuel (senior, b 28 April 1800), farmer of Mounthill, Ballyrickardmore who married
Elizabeth Crawford (8 Oct 1801-19 April 1872) and was the father to our immigrant Samuel.
Janet, (b. 10 Oct 1811) who married Robert Crawford, a brother to the Elizabeth Crawford who married Samuel senior.
During the 1830s when Ireland was being mapped officially, largely for valuation purposes, 'Memoirs' were written about the physical, social, and economic state of the country, parish by parish. The Raloo Memoir included a list of emigrants from Raloo between 1835 and 1839. These records indicate that in 1838, Nathaniel McWilliam, then aged 49, his wife Mary Moore (aged 44) and children, Jane (14); Sarah (12); Nathaniel jnr. (8) and William (4) all sailed for Charlestown South Carolina. Information from the 1850 DeKalb county, Georgia census for the Panthersville district shows Nathaniel aged in his 60's accompanied by a Jane Moore, aged in her 80's ( mother-in-law?) no mention of his wife, Mary Moore, but 4 children listed as living with them; Eliza J McWilliam 23, Nathaniel 20, William 17, Samuel 12. All listed as born in Ireland excepting Samuel born in South Carolina.
Andrew junior (died 13 October 1871) was a farmer and blacksmith, with a family of 4 sons (Andrew, James, Samuel, Robert ) and one daughter (Sarah) are all mentioned in his will.
Samuel senior (died 18 December 1882) was the third son of Andrew senior and Sarah Drummond and the father of our Samuel who emigrated to Australia. His wife was Elizabeth Crawford (b. 8 October 1801; d.19 April 1872). Elizabeth was the daughter of Matthew and Janet Crawford, the latter being the daughter of the redoubtable Nancy (Nannie) Boyd (b.c.1740), who herself was married to a Thomas Crawford and became a legendary figure during the uprisings of 1798-99. As noted above, Elizabeth’s brother, Robert married Samuel senior’s sister, Janet McWilliam.
Old Raloo Graveyard.
This now abandoned cemetery contains a number of headstones commemorating a number of Samuel’s family. These are listed in the published “Gravestone Inscriptions”, County Antrim, Volume 2, published by the Ulster Historical Foundation. Raloo is a celtic adaption meaning an old moat or fort.
Samuel senior and his wife Elizabeth, along with their son, Matthew are buried in the old Raloo cemetery and there graves are commemorated with a single headstone stating,
'MCWILLIAM Elizabeth, wife of Samuel McWilliam rests here; born 8th. Oct. 1801, died 19th. April 1872. Also the above Samuel McWilliam died 18th Decr. 1882 aged 82 years. Also their son Matthew, died 9th March 1883 aged 42 years'
The grave of Samuel seniors uncle, Robert McWilliam, and the oldest surviving McWilliam Raloo grave head stone, is commemorated with,
"MCWILLIAM- Erected by Agnes McMurtry, Ballysnodd, in memory of her father Robert McWilliam, Browndodd, who died 5th Feby. 1827 aged 73 years. Also her mother Mary who died 20th Sept.1838, aged 74 years…….. Also her brother Samuel McWilliam of High Browndodd who departed this life on the 29th March 1873 aged 68 years." (This was Robert’s son, a cousin to Samuel senior)
The grave of Samuel’s brother, William Andrew (MD) who was a Belfast surgeon and his wife and infant child are commemorated as follows
"MACWILLIAM Here rests with her infant son, Mary Jane KIRKPATRICK, wife of William A Macwilliam, MD. who fell asleep 12th June 1868 aged 26 years. Also the said William A Macwilliam, MD. of Belfast, born 13th Dec 1837, died 5th Jan 1872."
Samuel’s sister, Eliza Jane McROBERT is commemorated as follows
" McROBERT In memory of Eliza Jane McWilliam, wife of Thomas McRobert, who died 30th. May 1880, aged 38 years. Also the above named Thomas McRobert who died at Detroit, Michigan, USA.,25th. November 1910 aged 71 years."
Samuel’s brother, Thomas and family are commemorated as follows
"MACWILLIAM In loving memory of Mary Blair STUART, beloved wife of Thomas Macwilliam. Ballyrickardmore, died 16th Jany.1894 aged 48 years. Their daughter Jane Gray died 28th Augt. 1889 aged 13 years. Their son Robert died 9th Jany. 1891 aged 7 years. The above named Thomas Macwilliam died 20th. June 1914 aged 81 years. Their daughter Margaret died 18th Dec.1940 aged 60 years."
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