Ireland - Northern Ireland History

DROMARAGH or ANNESBOROUGH, a post-town and parish, partly in the barony of KINELEARTY, partly in that of LOWER IVEAGH, but chiefly in that of
UPPER IVEAGH, county of DOWN, and province of ULSTER.At ARTANA is a
meeting house for Presbyterians of the first class, in connection with
the Synod of Ulster.

Rev. H. Elgee BOYD - rector of the parish - 1833

Co Londonderry

Boyds of Aghadowey, County Derry, Northern Ireland, W. P. Boyd, 1912

The first trace of the early Boyd family in Ireland was at the time of the siege of Londonderry. To the east of this renowned city, a few miles, rested in the County of Antrim, a small Presbyterian village called Aghadowey, one of the oldest Presbyterian settlements in Ireland. At this time found at this settlement the Rev. Thomas Boyd, who had ministered almost from the time of the plantation to the little settlement of this place. He had succeeded the predecessor of the Rev. James McGregor, who had come over her to America.

A few days before the seige of Londonderry commenced this aged soldier Divine, for he must have been between seventy and eighty years old at the time, gathered all the members of his congregation one afternoon on what was called the green or lawn, in front of the old church. Here he held a service, picturing to his congregation the advancement of the Irish troops towards the illfated city. He then afterwards picked out all the youths and men who were able to carry arms. Then mounting upon a small grassy elevation on the lawn, with his sword by his side and Bible in hand, with his long white waving hair hanging over his shoulders,
he addressed the men and his hearers, and aroused them to the highest pitch of religious and patriotic enthusiasm. Then formed them into a company of soldiers, and placed himself in front, as chief or commander, and marched at the head of his company to the walls of Londonderry, where, old as he was, he prayed and
fought and endured all the deprivations and horrors of that famous and awful siege. He afterwards, returned to his old home again, where he lived for nine or ten years in peace, to see his cherished religion saved, and died among those of
his younger days in 1699.

Although this event occurred over two hundred years ago to this very day, his memory is as fresh amongst the people of Aghadowey who now reside there, as though he had only lived twenty years ago. The spot where he stood to address his congregation before he marched with his men to Londonderry, is still pointed out to all who visit that place. He is said to have been a tall, slender, old gentleman and had a very commanding appearance and was a favorite with all that knew him.

Emigration from Aghadowey Parish, Co Londonderry 1834-1835

The following is a list of persons that emigrated to North America from the parish of Aghadowey, Co; Londonderry in the years 1834 and 1835, according to the Ordnance Survey (O.S.) Memoirs for the parish:

BOYD, Catherine 20, Presbyterian, from Ballynacallymore to New York - 1835

BOYD, Esther 20, Presbyterian, from Ballygowly to Philadelphia. - 1835

BOYD, John 20, Presbyterian, from Ballynacallymore to New York. - 1835

BOYD, Thomas 23,Presbyterian, from Ballygowly to Philadelphia. - 1835

County Derry (Londonderry) 1631 Muster Roll

Sr Thomas Phillops his servitors lands being 3000 acres his men & armes:

BOYD, John (elder) swords & Calleuers
BOYD, John Sword & snaphances
BOYD, Thomas sword & musket

Criminals - Co Roscommon

Name, Place of Trial, Date of Trial, Crime, Petitioner, Relationship

Wallace, Thomas,Co Roscommon,00/04/1846, John BOYD and others, Local
clergy.

NOTE: Use this data as a finding tool, just as you would any other secondary source. When you find the name of an ancestor listed, confirm the facts in original sources.

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