Thomas Cunningham (abt. 1670 - 1730)

Born about 1670 in Cunningham Manor, County Donegal, Ireland

Husband of Jeanie (Ballyntine) Cunningham — married 17 Nov 1730 in Knocknashane, County Armagh, Ireland

Descendants

Died 1730 at about age 60 in Knocknashane, County Armagh, Ireland

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Terri Rick [send private message]

Biography

Thomas Cunningham is a member of Clan Cunningham.

Thomas Cunningham.

Born Estimated around 1670 based on age of eldest child and reported service in Battle of the Boyne.

Family legend states that Thomas and his unknown father participated in the Battle of the Boyne, and Thomas was tied to a cannon as prisoner at Millmount.^[1] John Cunningham ^[2] reported that Thomas served in the Army of Queen Anne, and awarded land on the River Boyne as a result. However, he was said to be too wild and reckless to take up farming.

• 1690 Battle of Boyne River Battle fought in Drogheda, Ireland.

+ Thomas Cunningham. -

• 1690 Boyne River Battle took place in Drogheda, Ireland. Both Thomas and his son participated in this battle. This battle was fought on 1 July 1690 at a fordable river bend four miles west of Drogheda. The main body of Williamite infantry was concentrated on fording the river at the village of Oldbridge.

"'Occupation'"

Thomas learned to weave fine linen from French Huguenots, and settled in Shankill Parish, Knocknashane, Ireland.

"'Family'"

Thomas married Jeanie Ballyntine (or Valentine) around 1700, and had four legitimate sons (John, Edward, Walter, and Adam) and a daughter possibly named Ann. Thomas also had an illegitimate son Thomas, possibly born before his marriage.^[3]

Died Around 1730, Knocknashane, Ireland

Marriage Husband Thomas Cunningham. Wife Jeanie Ballyntine.

Research Notes Both Farwell and Cunningham report that Thomas' father's name is unknown. They report that his father was originally from Ayrshire, Scotland, and settled in Lambeg, County Down, Ireland, where he was an "iron forge conductor." This seemingly obscure role appears to have been that of a more senior blacksmith who tapped out the timing for junior smiths who were hammering together on a single piece of iron^[4].

This Thomas is often associated as the son of James Cunningham. James is reported to have been born in Cunningham Manor in Donegal, of a long line of Cunninghams stretching back to the early 1600's. This information appears to be based in part on a genealogy associated with a John Cunningham who emigrated to America in 1737^[5]. According to the article by Herndon, James Cunningham may also have had a son named Thomas, but that Thomas is believed to have made his will in Brunswick County, Virginia, on 10 September 1745 and is often confused with this Thomas which is clearly a different person.^[6]

Note that it seems at first glance unlikely that Thomas would have fought with the Army of Queen Anne, which was active during the Wars of Spanish Succession from 1702 to 1711, as his eldest legitimate son John was born 1701. However, his next child was not born until 1709, leaving a gap.

Sources

1. ↑ Farwell, Hebert Cunningham. Four generations of Cunninghams (County Down and Knocknashane County Armagh, Ireland). Salem, MA. Farwell, 1930.
2. ↑ Source: Letter from John Cunningham of Lancaster, MA to John Cunningham of Dunfermline, Scotland, Dated 1 Dec 1880
3. ↑ Source: Letter from John Cunningham of Lancaster, MA to John Cunningham of Dunfermline, Scotland, Dated 1 Dec 1880
4. ↑ An Early Irish Law Tract on the Blacksmith's Forge; Scott, B.G.; The Journal of Irish Archaeology, Volume 1, 1983
5. ↑ John Goodwin Herndon, "The Cunninghams of Cub Creek", Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 52 (1944): 135-153
6. ↑ Herndon, 137.

• Cunningham Family Bible, genealogical section states Thomas as being a son of James.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Terri Rick for starting this profile.