Scotch-Irish-L Archives

From:
Subject: [Scotch-Irish] James Houston, Fighter of Derry
Date: Fri, 3 May 2002 00:23:39 EDT

The following account is from the Fighters of Derry book. It contains one of
the greatest stories in Derry lore and befits the ancient Scottish name of
Houston.

James Houston of Garveleigh, Castlederg, defender. For the preservation of
any local traditions (as in the case of Comyn, No. 453) Ulster is indebted
to that painstaking author Graham for his Catalogue in "Ireland Preserved,"
and "Derriana," published nearly a century ago. From one of these stories
derived direct from his descendants I gather what is recounted below:

James Houston residing at Garveleigh, near Castlederg, on the Edwards estate,
on the outbreak of the revolution joined the Derry garrison, was present in
all the preliminary operations and served all through the siege. An expert
marksman, in possession of an ancient and heavy fowling piece, he is said to
have shot King James' standard bearer when the Jacobite army was advancing to
the city gates on the 18th April. Later in the siege, becoming too weak from
an attack of dysentery as to be unable to handle the ponderous weapon, he was
assisted and supported to the field by comrades, who loaded and held the gun
while he aimed and pulled the trigger. In this manner he killed a French
officer riding at the head of his men on the other side of the broad river
Foyle.

His name is among the singatures to the address to King William after the
relief. Not content with his siege service, he was present at the Boyne,
Aughrim and Limerick. Returning to Co. Donegal after the campaign, he
settled at Tinkersford in the parish of Rahmochy where he ultimately died.

Two others of the same name, probably relatives, were signers of the Derry
Commission of 1690, viz. ROBERT HOUSTON AND JOHN HOUSTON.

jcmaclay

This thread:

• [Scotch-Irish] James Houston, Fighter of Derry by