Scotch-Irish-L Archives

From: "Katharine Kirk" <>
Subject: Re: Co. Antrim Chancery Records
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1998 21:15:15 -0500

Linda, hi! I've been enjoying your discussions and I've got a question for
you. I had a look at the AOL homepage that I hadn't realized was connected
to you. I had accidentally found a piece of it , the Co. Antrim Chancery
Records, a while back. Presumably you were interested in the M'Manus
included in the lists there. Do you know anything about the others with
whom they served? They often include a James Kirk. Many of these same
names appear together in Lancaster Co., South Carolina, graveyards (Kirk,
McManus, Adair, Agnew, Harper, Hugh, etc.). In SC, they are often also
linked to Montgomery. I am looking for the Scotch-Irish ancesters of my
great-great-great grandfather Mathew Kirk. He immigrated to Lancaster
County through Charleston in 1772, probably aboard the James and Mary with
part of the party brought by Rev. William Martin. Three brothers immigrated
together, John (born c. 1751), Robert (birthdate unknown) and Mathew (b.
1760). Reputedly, there was an older brother named James who remained in
Antrim (near Ballymoney) as did their father (also named James and probably
born around 1720). While your records are too early to have been for any of
these folks, the James named in them could have been the brothers'
grandfather.

These people were part of the religious group known as Seceders -- about
whom I know very little. Would you or some other kind soul please explain
to me how they were different from the Covenanters?

At any rate, I think our Kirks probably left Scotland (Dumfries area?? or
Ayrshire??) some time in the mid 1600's. I know from Hanna's book that
several Kirks were involved in the persecutions there and that a James and
John perished on a prison ship that sank at sea, while a Richard survived.
I don't really know whether there was any connection between them and our
Kirks though. Ultimately, I'd like to know about the Scottish connection
also.

It's beginning to look as if I need to book a plane to Northern Ireland and
Scotland to get much further in the search, although I have a small
collection of "educated?" guesses I might be able to make at this point.
Your tour sounds interesting and fun. I hope you'll be posting plans for
how it would work as they develop. Many thanks for any clues you might be
able to give me. If you have any interest in the Kirk line in the South
Carolina and the USA , I would be happy to share. Kathy Kirk

P.S. What is a "tea jenny"? Somehow I think I might be one too!

This thread:

• Re: Co. Antrim Chancery Records by "Katharine Kirk" <>