Chronology of the Glasgow Family in Northern Ireland in Historical Context

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Location: [unknown]

Contents 1 The Glasgow Name in Kilwaughter Parish, County Antrim 1.1 Early Glasgows in Kilwaughter 1.2 1659 Census and Kilwaughter Lands 1.3 Origins of the Glasgow Name in Kilwaughter 1.4 Life in Kilwaughter Parish 1.5 The Glasgows and the Presbyterian Church 1.6 James Glasgow and His Descendants 1.7 Presbyterian Church Governance 2 Sources

The Glasgow Name in Kilwaughter Parish, County Antrim

Early Glasgows in Kilwaughter

The earliest known Glasgows in County Antrim were Jas. Glascho and Jo. Glascho (John Glasgow (abt.1650-)), who appeared on the 1669 Hearth Money Rolls for Kilwaughter Parish. "Glascho" is the Gaelic spelling of Glasgow, reflecting the linguistic influence of the time. The Hearth Money Rolls, arranged by county and parish, listed householders and the number of hearths they were taxed on at 2 shillings each. Jas. and Jo. Glascho of Kilwaughter each had one hearth.

1659 Census and Kilwaughter Lands

In the 1659 census of "Kilvowghter" Parish, Barony of Glenarme, there were 65 English and Scots and only 27 Irish. In the townland of "Killvowghter," only 6 native Irish lived, while in "Bellikeill" (Ballykeel townland), there were 9 English and Scots and no Irish. The lack of Glasgows in this census doesn't mean they were absent, as many families were not recorded.

The Kilwaughter lands were leased in 1636 by Patrick Agnew from his relative, Sir Patrick Agnew of Lochnaw, Scotland, who had received them from King James VI. The castle was reportedly acquired by Captain 'Magnew' under the 1661 Cromwellian Settlement.

Origins of the Glasgow Name in Kilwaughter

Based on the 1659 census, 1669 Hearth Money Roll, and memoirs of another prominent Kilwaughter family, the Bailies, it's estimated that the Glasgows may have arrived as early as 1660, possibly fleeing religious persecution in Scotland.

The recurring name "James Glasgow" suggests that Robert's father or grandfather was the original settler, James Glascho, from the 1669 Hearth Roll. John Glascho, also listed, was likely a close relative. Both were active in the church 30 years later, as evidenced by the 1700 session minutes of the Larne Meeting House, which mention James Glasgow1, John Glasgow1, sen., and Robert Glasgow1.

Life in Kilwaughter Parish

From the 1660s-1700s, Kilwaughter residents attended church and market in nearby Larne. Before the 1820s, the parish was a cotton manufacturing center, but the 1820s depression bankrupted local mills. By 1841, most families were farming, with only one-third of the land arable due to bogs and Agnew's Hill. Pre-famine, most farms on the Agnew estate averaged just 20 acres, with over 80% of occupiers living in one- or two-room thatched cottages. However, literacy rates were higher than the County Antrim average.

The Glasgows and the Presbyterian Church

James Glasgow of Kilwaughter belonged to the Old Presbyterian Church of Kilwaughter and Larne, the "Head of the Town" (HOTT) Meeting House, established in 1625. In 1722, a schism led part of the congregation to join the new "First Larne" church in Enver (Inver), while HOTT became a Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, also called "dissenting" or "New Lights," led by minister John Abernethy.

James Glasgow and His Descendants

James Glasgow died in 1726, as recorded in HOTT church records, and his will was proved in 1727. He may have been the original 1669 settler if he came as a young man, living to 77-86 years old, not uncommon for Kilwaughter residents due to their healthy oat-based diet and active lifestyle. However, it's uncertain if he fathered children after age 50.

The 1700 HOTT records mention John Glasgow1, sen., Robert Glasgow1, and James Glasgow1. Robert1 could be James1's son and father of Robert2 (b. ca. 1710). Hugh Glasgow1 also died in 1726, but he's not the same Hugh born in 1705 who lived a long life.

Four likely brothers were active in HOTT and close in age: Hugh Glasgow2 (b. 1705), James Glasgow2 (b. ca. 1707), William Glasgow1 (b. 1708), and Robert Glasgow2 (b. ca. 1710). Three named their eldest sons James, except James2, who named his William2.

James Glasgow2 married Sara Muray in 1727, and Robert Glasgow2 wed Rachel Wilson in 1729. Robert became a HOTT elder in 1730. Their children were James Glasgow3 (b. 1731, later emigrated to South Carolina), Ann Taggard Glasgow (b. 1733, married Hugh Shannon), and Rachel Glasgow (b. 1738, likely died young). Ann and Hugh may have taken over James's perpetually renewable lease of Ballykeel land from Robert.

Presbyterian Church Governance

In Presbyterian church government, elders shared most congregational duties with the minister, except preaching. This tight-knit community of Glasgows played significant roles in their church and parish life in 17th-18th century Kilwaughter.

Sources

by Donna Jean Glasgow

February 27, 1700 – Regarding the ploughing and harrowing of Mr. Ogilvie's land: "After sermon, the heads of families stayed and met…for every district and proportion of plowing and harrowing, there are chosen to view the land tomorrow—John Glasgow and Robert White, for Kilwochter; and for the south side, James Callwell, Robert Glasgow, and William Robinson…In the meantime, this meeting appoints that those persons following shall consider and determine, to the best of their knowledge, in what manner the house shall be repaired, and what money will do the work, and how it shall be raised, viz.,--Mr. Patrick Agnew and John Glasgow, for Kilwochter; James Callwell and Robert Glasgow, for south side of the water..."

May 29, 1700 – Regarding the repairing of Mr. Ogilvie's house, and erecting the office-house: "And for the office-houses it is concluded there shall be seven cupples in all, viz., four to be a stable and cow-house, and three cupples for a barn…and all to be built with lime and stone…Kilwochter and south side of the water to build three cupples and a-half…And for overseers of the whole work, and to see to the providing materials, and agreeing with workmen to do this work, James Glasgow is appointed for Kilwochter..."

1703 – Religious oppression in the form of the Test Act passed under reign of Queen Ann, which required all office-holders in Ireland use sacraments as prescribed by the established church. This made the made the Ulster Scots (as well as the Irish Catholics) official "second-class citizens in a second-class kingdom."(1) Marriages performed by dissenting ministers (Presbyterians) were declared null and void. Their children were "as bastards," incapable of succeeding to their estates, something to which not even Catholics were subjected. This had the effect of strengthening the church, as Presbyterians relied more heavily on church structures, not the kingdom, to order their lives.

1705 – Birth of Hugh Glasgow (date from St. Cedmas' gravestone in Larne)

1708 – Birth of William Glasgow (date 1708 – 1783 from St. Cedmas' gravestone in Larne)

1710 – Approximate date of birth of Robert Glasgow.

1700 – 1710 – Births of William Glasgow, Hugh Glasgow, and Robert Glasgow and perhaps James Glasgow who married Sara Muray in 1727).

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(1) Gordon Ramsey, Martial Men and Debatable Lands: Frontier Culture amongst Anglo-Scottish Borderers, Ulster-Scots and Aboriginal Americans.

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1714 – 1719 – Six years in succession with insufficient rainfall in Northern Ireland. When the fourth successive year of drought ruined the crops in 1717, more than five thousand Ulstermen that year emigrated to the American colonies. http://www.greencastlemuseum.org/ref_001a.htm

1719 – The Toleration Act was passed, which allowed Presbyterians to practice their religion openly. At the same time, the Presbyterian Church began to split over whether congregation members should be required to subscribe to 'The Westminster Confession of Faith', the classic statement of Calvinist belief. Those called the "New Lights,"—the Nonsubscribing Presbyterians, as the HOTT church in Larne became, put forward radical new ideas, derived from the thought of the Scottish Enlightenment. These Presbyterians were also called "dissenters."

1722 – James Glasgow, one of six Commissioners to the Presbytery.

1724 – Patrick Agnew of Kilwaughter Castle died.

1726 – Deceased, James Glasgow.

1727 – Will of James Glasgow of Kilwater.

1727 – James Glasgow married Sara Muray on August 5 in the Kilwaughter/Larne Presbyterian Church. 1728 – Jean 1730 – Will 1732 – Hellen 1740 – Christian 1729 – Robert Glasgow and Rachel Willson married, Kilwaughter/Larne Presbyterian Church.

1731 – Baptism of James Glasgow, son of Robert Glasgow and Rachel Willson, Kilwaughter/Larne Presbyterian Church.

1731 – Baptism of Jean Glasgow, daughter of Hugh Glasgow, New Town.

1731 – Robert Glasgow became Church Elder in Kilwaughter/Larne Presbyterian Church.

1733 – Baptism of Ann Taggard Glasgow, daughter of Robert Glasgow and Rachel Wilson, Kilwaughter/Larne Presbyterian Church.

1735 – Baptism of Rose Glasgow, daughter of Hugh Glasgow, of New Town, Larne.

1736 – Baptism of Mary Glasgow, daughter of Hugh Glasgow, of New Town, Larne.

1737 – Birth of James Glasgow, son of Hugh Glasgow, New Town, Larne. (Tombstone at St. Cedma's: James Glasgow 1737 – 1802, wife Janet Shutter).

1738 – Robert Glasgow leased land from William Agnew in Kilwaughter Parish.

1738 – Baptism of Rachel, daughter of Robert Glasgow and Rachel Wilson, Kilwaughter/Larne Presbyterian Church.

1739 – Ship Abigail of Belfast, John Glasgow, arrived from Gottenburg with a load of iron. (Port-News article in Belfast News Letter)

1740 – Year of the great frost. On the last day of 1739, Ireland awoke to find itself in the grip of what was in effect a mini ice age. In its wake came an almost Biblical ordeal by drought, flood, fire, famine and plague, that has few parallels in the recorded history of the island.(2) As a result of the frost and a prolonged drought that followed it, famine struck Ireland and caused yet another wave of emigration to the American colonies.

1741 – Hugh Glasgow made elder of the Larne/Kilwaughter Presbyterian Church.

1741 - Registry of Deeds Office Dublin Volumn 109 page 476 No 76724.(3) Memorial registered 13 June 1743 of Lease dated 17 June 1741 from William Agnew of Killwaughter co Antrim esq to Rev Josias Clugston of Larne parish co Antrim clk for 41 years from 1 Nov 1741 at rent of 10 pounds 2 shillings 6 pence during life of said Clugston and 11 pounds 5 shillings after his death for residue of the 41 years, the 45 acres part of Ballybohy [Ballyboley?] in said Larne parish then in the possession of said Clugston with turbary for one fire out of the Black Moss of Killwaughter Witnesses Patrick Crawford of Ballysavage co Antrim Robert Glasgow of said Kilwaughter co Antrim farmer George Portis of Belfast co Antrim gent(4)

1742 – Rachel Wilson Glasgow, wife of Robert Glasgow, died. The cause of her death at her young age (probably about 30) is unknown. The most common cause of death for a woman her age was childbirth; but too, the years of 1741, 1742 were years of drought, death and sickness all over Ireland.

1743 – Robert Glasgow, as senior elder, attended meeting of the Presbytery in Belfast; attended several similar meetings.

1744 – Robert Glasgow became church treasurer of Larne/Kilwaughter Presbyterian Church. (2)Artic Ireland: The Extraordinary story of the Great Frost and Forgotten Famine of 1740-41 by David Dickson

(3) LDS microfilm 0258471 p. 65 Genealogical Collection of Muster Rolls, Householders, wills, deeds, parish registers Families Abbot-Armstrong p. 1-550

(4) The trade at Belfast Port is referred to by another correspondent, George Portis, the Collector of the Revenue there, who informs Macartney on 30 January 1772 that the revenue had increased from œ30,000 to œ64,000 per annum.

1745 – Birth of Hugh Glasgow (1745 – 1756, died at age 11), son of Hugh Glasgow.

1747 – Robert Glasgow was brought before the session for the sin of fornication and, refusing to confess publicly, was turned out of the Kilwaughter/Larne Presbyterian Church.

1753 – The Presbyterian Meeting House taken down and rebuilt a second time.

1760 – James Glasgow, ropemaker, leases Ropewalk at Gardenmore Place (in Old Town) from Charles Ferris, on 10 October, 1760.

1761 – 1770 – James Glasgow places yearly ads for ropemaking business in the Belfast Newsletter.

1770 – Ropewalk at Larne lately occupied by James Glasgow now advertised by new proprietors, Messrs. John and Nathan Moore.

Abt. 1763 – Margaret Jones, proprietor of Kilwaughter Castle, was born.

1762 – James Glasgow (b. 1737, son of Hugh) and Janet Shutter married, L/K NSP Church.

1763 – Birth of William Glasgow (1763 – 1816, wife Elizabeth). Infant daughter, Jane Shutter Glasgow, 1798-1799, indicates this William is son of James Glasgow b. 1737. Wife of William = Eliza? They are buried in St. Cedma's.

1767 – July 8, Deceased, Hugh Glasgow (1705 – 1767)

1769 – The "Hearts of Steel" set fire to a house adjoining the site of the present [Kilwaughter] Castle Gardens.

1772 – April 7, 1772 – Citizens of the Parishes of Larne, Kilwaughter and Ralloo sign a petition stating their abhorrence against the crimes perpetrated by the "Hearts of Steel"” Signed by William Glasgow, James Glasgow, James Finley, John Glasgow, and a second James Glasgow, all of the Parish of Larne; and from the Parish of Kilwaughter, Robert Glasgow, James Glasgow, and Hugh Shannon, all three names appearing in succession. [Note: The fact that Robert Glasgow, James Glasgow and Hugh Shannon signed this petition in Kilwaughter Parish, with the same document establishing two other James Glasgows from Larne, convinces me that this is our ancestor, Robert Glasgow, still living in 1772, together with his son, James and his son-in-law Hugh Shannon. By this evidence, I accept that James Glasgow did not emigrate to South Carolina until AFTER April of 1772. The ideal time for departure was after farmers had had a chance to harvest their crops in the fall. Also, is James Finley the same James Finley who witnessed James Glasgow's will in South Carolina?].

1772 or 1773 – (Probably late in the year 1772 after crops were in) James Glasgow and his wife, Mary Crozier* Glasgow (James being the son of Robert Glasgow and Rachel Willson), immigrated to Craven County, South Carolina in North America. The earliest documented date for James Glasgow in South Carolina is 16 November 1774 when he witnessed a land transaction—see 1774 below).

1772 - Reverend William Martin received a 'call' to South Carolina; about one thousand seceders, five shiploads, went with him. One of the ships was the Lord Dunluce, which left Larne Ulster, 4 Oct. 1772 and it arrived at Charleston, South Carolina on 2 Dec. 1772, after sailing against contrary winds. The land in America was to cost five pounds, and the acreage was determined by family size. If the immigrant had no money the land was free.

1773 – Birth of James Glasgow (1773 – 1831), same tombstone in St. Cedmas as William Glasgow b. 1708.

1774 – South Carolina - November 16, 1774, James Glassgow witnessed lease and release document for 50 acres from John Reid and his wife Nancy in Craven County, 96 district, on south fork of Indian Creek, to James Finley of said district.

1775 – October 17, 1775 - Will of James Glasgow, planter, of Gilder's Creek, Craven County, South Carolina.

1775 – William Agnew died, father-in-law of Edward Jones Agnew. William was the son of Patrick Agnew of Kilwaughter Castle.

1776 – Will dated 1776, Hugh Shannon of Kilwaughter

1783 – Will dated 1783, William Glasgow of Larne

Abt. 1784 – Birth of Miss Elizabeth Glasgow who died in 1860 at age 76. She was one of the last remaining Glasgows in Larne.

1791 - Society of United Irishmen was formed with the objective of breaking the connection with England and establishing an Irish Republic.

1794 – South Carolina – In August 1794 Wilson Crozar* Glasgow witnessed a deed for land on Gilder's Creek from John Blalock to William Taylor.

1795 – Death of Archibald Wilson, brother of Rachel Wilson Glasgow.

1795 - Henry Joy McCracken joined the United Irishmen.

Abt. 1797 – Birth of Elizabeth Glasgow, unmarried; est. dob taken from 1851 census, where she was listed as "visitor" in home of James Carley, annuitant, Larne town.

1798 – Irish Rebellion.

1802 – August 30, 1802 – Elizabeth Glasgow was baptised, daughter of William Glasgow and Elizabeth Stewart, Corran. (Corran being the peninsula in Larne where the Olderfleet Castle ruins stand).

1803 –Will, James Glasgow, Larne (This matches James, son of Hugh, who married Janet Shutter and died in 1802).

1806 – Kilwaughter Castle renovated by Edward Jones Agnew.

1809 – Will Glasgow, of Larne, Committee Member of the Larne and Kilwaughter Nonsubscribing Presbyterian Church.

1816 – Will of William Glasgow, Larne William Glasgow (1763 – 1816, wife Elizabeth)

1829 – The present Presbyterian Meeting House was built on the same site as its predecessors.

1834 – Death of Edward Jones Agnew. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries Kilwaughter's landlord, Edward Jones Agnew, had granted his tenants leases of twenty-one years and two "lives," one of which was his own; thus his death in 1834 meant that the expiration of most leases would coincide with the onset of the potato blight. Margaret Jones, Agnew's successor as proprietor, enjoyed a benevolent reputation and apparently did not evict head tenants during the crisis. However, the prior collapse of cottage spinning, the introduction of power looms in Belfast factories at mid-century, and the overcrowded and impoverished conditions that characterized Kilwaughter's smallholdings made the parish highly susceptible to the same demographic processes which operated in the poor, mountainous districts of mid- and South Ulster during the Great Famine. Whether forced or "voluntary," wholesale clearances of subtenants, cottiers, and weavers must have occurred, for between 1841 and 1851 the populations of both Rory's Glen and Kilwaughter parish declined by a remarkable 36 percent (compared with merely a 15.5 percent decline in County Antrim, generally), and by the latter year a consolidation of holdings had radically altered the local landscape: in 1851 nearly half the farms were over thirty acres in size and over three-fourths of the parish's arable land had been converted to grazing. Perhaps few of the inhabitants actually perished from malnutrition or disease during the famine, but out-migration from the parish--hitherto rare--was extensive. If Alexander Murphy had indeed been butler at Kilwaughter Castle, one can only speculate how or why he lost or relinquished his position, but apparently he suffered the same fate as his poorer neighbors. Given the family's size, the Murphys could not afford to emigrate overseas, but with many others they moved to the growing industrial city of Belfast. [The famine's scars: William Murphy's Ulster and American odyssey - 19th-century Irish famine]

1846 – Will, Jane Glasgow, Larne

1848 - Margaret Jones, proprietor of Kilwaughter Castle, died of disease during the winter.

1860 – Death of Miss Elizabeth Glasgow, age 76, The Crannie, Larne. (Birth would be abt. 1784) (Article in newspaper).

From the data I have gathered so far, I have been able to document the following distinct individuals. The superscript numbers indicate a distinct individual of a particular name arranged in chronological order. In other words, it does not indicate either generations or relationships.

1. Jo.1 [John] Glascho, hearth money roll for Kilwaughter Parish, 1669. I believe the John Glasgow, sen. of "Kilwochter" mentioned in the Congregational Memoirs 1699-1700 is the same man.

2. Jas.1 [James] Glascho, hearth money roll for Kilwaughter Parish, 1669. The James Glasgow mentioned in the Congregational Memoirs 1700 is probably the same man. The James Glasgow of Kilwaughter Parish who died 1726 is also thought to be the same. He is probably the James Glasgow who attended Presbytery in 1722.

3. Robert1 Glasgow who is mentioned in the Congregational Memoirs in 1700 pre-dates the Robert2 Glasgow who married Rachel Wilson in 1729.

4. John2 Glasgow who was master of a ship "Abigail" of Belfast, 1739. The John1 Glasgow, sen., would surely be too elderly at this date to be captain of a ship.

5. William1 Glasgow b. 1699 or 1708 (there is a discrepancy in the records, between two sources, both taken from the dates on tombstone).

6. Hugh1 Glasgow, d. 1726 (Record found in Old Presbyterian Church Record Book). Not the same as Hugh2 Glasgow below.

7. Hugh2 Glasgow b. 1705, d. 1767. Married twice, 1) Ann; 2) Jane. Buried St. Cedma's Cemetery.

8. Robert Glasgow2, b. ca 1710, estimated based on date of marriage to Rachel Willson in 1729.

9. James2 Glasgow who married Sara Muray in 1727 in the Larne/Kilwaughter Presbyterian Church. James Glasgow1 died the previous year, so this is a different James. There is a James Glasgowe found on map of Altilevelly in Ralloo Parish in 1747. This could possibly be the James Glasgow who married Sara Muray. (Presbyterians from Ralloo did attend the Presbyterian Church in Larne). For now, I will assume they are the same.

10. Will2 Glasgow, b. 1730, son of James2 Glasgow who married Sara Muray. Is this James the son of the elder William1?

11. James3 Glasgow b. 1731, son of Robert2 Glasgow. Married Mary Crozier* and emigrated to South Carolina ca 1772.

12. James4 Glasgow b. 1737, d. 1802, son of Hugh2 Glasgow. Buried in St. Cedma's cemetery in Larne. He married Janet Shutter in 1762. The Shutters were a mariner family, and this James could be the same James who advertised for sale a wherry, "Margaret and Betty," in Larne in March of 1765. This James is the most likely candidate to be the owner of the Rope-walk in Larne from 1760 to 1770, also who signed a petition in 1786 regarding a burglary at the church in Larne in 1786. Also the James Glasgow who advertised a lost ladies' trunk in 1789. Also signed petition in 1772. This could also be the James Glasgow mentioned in the Belfast News Letter in 1798.

13. John3 Glasgow m. Rose Allan in 1769. Born perhaps 1745-48? Probably not the same as John2 who was a ship’s captain in 1739.

14. Hugh3 Glasgow, b. 1745, died at age 11, son of Hugh2 and Jane. Buried in St. Cedma's.

15. William3 Glasgow, b. 1763, 6. 1816, m. Elizabeth, had daughters Jane, Eliza and Mary. Buried St. Cedma's Cemetery in Larne. This could be the William Glasgow, captain of the "William," advertised in the Belfast News Letter 1792-1799.

16. James Glasgow5 b. 1775, buried in St. Cedma's, same stone as William2.

Possible or Probable Signers of the April, 1772 Petition in the Belfast News Letter Re: the "Hearts of Steel" were:

Parish of Larne: William2 Glasgow ("Will"—see #10) James4 Glasgow (see #12) John2 Glasgow (or John3) (see #4 or #13) (The above listed almost in succession, along with James Finley). James2 Glasgow (see #9) (However, note this James was not listed with Parish of Raloo, so if this is the James Glasgow who married Sara Muray, he may or may not be the same as James Glasgowe who was in Raloo back in 1747).

Parish of Kilwaughter: Robert2 Glasgow James3 Glasgow (son of Robert) Hugh Shannon (son-in-law of Robert)

NOTE: At the time of the signing of the petition James1 Glasgow is deceased and James5 Glasgow is not yet born. From this petition I draw the conclusion that our direct Glasgow ancestor, Robert Glasgow of Kilwaughter Parish was still alive in 1772, and that his son James Glasgow had not yet emigrated to South Carolina as of April, 1772.

• No record has been found that definitively gives Mary Glasgow's last name as Crozier; however, I have arrived at that conclusion that it was Crozier (or Crosier) based on two legal documents I have found that show her son Wilson as "Wilson Crozar Glasgow" and "Willson Crossier Glasgow" (the former being a lease and release land transaction dated 1794 and the second being the will of Ann Finley, wife of James Finley, who names all of the Glasgow family individually); together with the fact that Archibald Wilson's oldest daughter was named Mary Crozier Glasgow; also, that I have seen other researchers' records showing the only daughter of John Glasgow to be Mary C. Glasgow, and the oldest daughter of Robert Glasgow to be Mary C. Glasgow. I need these documents showing their names).

Therefore, it seems very highly likely that Mary Glasgow's maiden name was CROZIER (or CROSIER or CROSSIER). We do know that Rachel, the second and youngest daughter of James and Mary Glasgow, was named for Rachel Wilson, the paternal grandmother. By the same tradition, the firstborn daughter, Margaret, would be named for the maternal grandmother. Robert Glasgow, eldest son, was named for his paternal grandfather, and surely John Glasgow, second son, was named for the maternal grandfather. Therefore, it is very likely that Mary's parents were John and Margaret Wilson CROZIER. I have checked, and there were some Croziers in that area of County Antrim).

(By this same token, could it be that Rachel Wilson’s mother was Ann Taggard Wilson?).