Rathneeny (1st Donegal) Presbyterian Church, Drumhome Parish, County Donegal, Ireland: Marriages 1845-63 & Historical Notes

PRONI Ref: MIC1P/6; D2535/1

Transcribed, Compiled and Submitted by
Len Swindley, Melbourne, Australia
len_swindley[at]hotmail.com

This file of RATHNEENY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MARRIAGES (1845-63) & HISTORICAL NOTES forms part of the vast archive of 3,000+ pages of genealogical records relating to COUNTIES TYRONE, DONEGAL, LONDONDERRY & FERMANAGH provided without charge or subscription by CoTyroneIreland Welcome to the Premier Website & Research Tool for Cos. Tyrone, Donegal, Londonderry & Fermanagh Genealogy (cotyroneireland.com) A complete list of records pertaining to COUNTY DONEGAL RECORDS on this website can be found at the foot of this file.

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The records for Rathneeny (1st Donegal) and 2nd Donegal Presbyterian Churches have been filmed by the staff of PRONI, Belfast where they are available to consultation

Baptisms, 1824-85; Marriages 1824-43 and 1845-1847; Deaths, 1860-83; Census, 1861-2.

PRONI Ref: MIC1P/6; D2535/1

 

***ORIGINAL SPELLING HAS BEEN RETAINED***

No.	Date	Marriage
1	April 17 1845	William Robinson 26 years bachelor farmer Moyne. Father: Mosey Robinson blacksmyth & Mary Ann Wray 21½ years spinster Annygassinn. Father: Andrew Wray farmer Witnesses: Joseph Lytle & Hugh Hammond
2	Sep 21 1845	Robert Stewart 24 years bachelor shoemaker Woodside, Kinlitter [Killeter], County of Tyrone, Parish of Termonamongan. Father: William Stewart farmer & Hanna Wray 21½ years spinster Drimkeehan, Parish of Killymard. Father: James Wray farmer Witnesses: John Burton & Abraham Bustard
3	Jan 6 1846	Samuel Maneely 27 years widower farmer Leghawny. Father: Andrew Maneely farmer & Eliza Harrin 21 years spinster Ballinakilly. Father: Robert Harrin farmer Witnesses: James Ingrim & Robert Holmes
4	Feb 5 1846	John Thompson 21 years bachelor farmer Umberycalm? Father: John Thompson farmer & Bella Farrell 21 years spinster Ballybulgin. Father: William Farrell farmer Witnesses: Matthew Kinkead & Arthur Johnston
5	Feb 17 1846	William Wray 21½ years bachelor farmer Arneygassin. Father: Alexander Wray farmer & Margaret Farrell 22 years spinster Drimlark. Father: Francis Farrell farmer Witnesses: John Wray & James McNeely
6	Mar 17 1846	Walter Crawford 45 years widower farmer Alteylooh. Father: Walter Crawford farmer & Mary Ann Currigan 25 years spinster Alteylooh. Father: John Currigan farmer Witnesses: Andrew Crawford & Charles Foster
7	Mar 19 1846	David Wray 26 years bachelor farmer Lackan. Father: John Wray farmer & Elizabeth Graham 24 years spinster Lackan. Father: Richard Graham farmer Witnesses: John Farrell & Andrew Gormin
8	Apr 7 1846	William Dunkin 21 years bachelor farmer Drimanary. Father: James Dunkin farmer & Isabella Morrow 20 years spinster Homes. Father: Hugh Morrow farmer Witnesses: Richard Morrow & John Dunkin
9	Ju1 9 1846	Robert Smyth 56 years widower farmer Mullins. Father: Matthew Smyth farmer & Margaret Irwin 38 years widow Carnbigh? Father: John Irwin farmer Witnesses: Joseph Wray & Watt Gregory
10	Sep 8 1846	William Wilson 40 years widower farmer Drummore. Father: Edward Wilson farmer & Mary Farrell 28 years spinster Raneeny. Father: William Farrell farmer Witnesses: Samuel Farrell & William Porter
11	Jan 28 1847	Robert Holmes 24 years bachelor farmer Ballinakilly. Father: William Holmes farmer & Mary Linn 21 years spinster Tullyearl. Father: William Linn farmer Witnesses: John Colvin & Alexander Holmes
12	Nov 9 1847	William Little 21 years bachelor farmer Lackan. Father: William Little farmer & Jane Morrow 22 years spinster Homes. Father: Hugh Morrow farmer Witnesses: Joseph Little & Richard Morrow
13	Nov 11 1847	James Wright full age bachelor agriculturalist? Bridgetown. Father: James Wright farmer & Faith Sturdy full age spinster Brown-hall. Father: Thomas Sturdy farmer Witnesses: William Maneely & George Hammond
14	Nov 25 1847	Joseph Wray 23 years bachelor plowman Muckris (sic). Father: Joseph Wray farmer & Jane Farrell full age spinster Drimlark. Father: Francis Farrell farmer Witnesses: John Farrell & James Farrell
15	Feb 8 1848	Hugh Robinson 22 years bachelor farmer Moyne. Father: Moses Robinson smith & Margaret Farrell full age spinster Drimlark. Father: James Farrell farmer Witnesses: James Robinson & John Lentin
16	Apr 19 1848	William Bailie 28 years bachelor farmer Ratalla. Father: Hugh Bailie farmer & Ann Hughes 29 years widow Donegal. Father: Hugh Hughes ship master Witnesses: Thomas Hughes & James Gallaugher
17	Aug 29 1848	William Lowry 46 years bachelor soldier Lough Eske. Father: John Lowry farmer & Bell Crawford 26 years spinster Lackan. Father: Robert Crawford farmer Witnesses: George Thompson & James Crawford
18	Oct 5 1848	Adam Brooks 37 years bachelor soldier Ballyshannon. Father: Robert Brooks soldier & Martha Farrell 35 years spinster Raneeny West. Father: William Farrell farmer Witnesses: James Farrell & Patt Deery
19	Dec 21 1848	Charles Wray 22 years bachelor farmer Town Lough. Father: Francis Wray farmer & Mary Ann White 20 years spinster Driminardough. Father: James White farmer Witnesses: Abraham Pearson & William Smyth
20	Feb 20 1849	William Crawford 28 years bachelor farmer Gregstown. Father: Thomas Crawford farmer & Margaret Crawford 26 years spinster servant Dungowan. Father: Andrew Crawford farmer Witnesses: Andrew Crawford & James Farrell
21	Oct 29 1850	Matthew Virtue 26 years bachelor farmer Ardchicken. Father: William Virtue farmer & Anne Love 27 years widow innkeeper Donegal. Father: George Elliott butcher Witnesses: James Bustard & Margaret McKee
22	Feb 4 1851	James Farrell 30 years bachelor farmer Raneeny West. Father: William Farrell farmer & Lucy Wray 30 years spinster Lackan. Father: James Wray farmer Witnesses: Hugh White & William McAuley
23	Mar 18 1851	David Wray 23 years bachelor farmer Lackan. Father: Arthur Wray farmer & Ellener Stewart 18 years spinster Tullymorn? Father: William Stewart farmer Witnesses: : Hugh White & Richard Wray
24	Apr 30 1851	John McMechan 28 years bachelor sewed muslin agent Donegal. Father: William McMechan farmer & Sarah Martha Platt 22 years spinster Donegal. Father: Thomas Platt police sergeant Witnesses: James Moore & Mary Hay
25	Nov 27 1851	Hugh Wray 19 years bachelor farmer Arnigasson, Parish of Donegal. Father: Alexander Wray farmer & Elizabeth Graham 17 years spinster Arnigasson, Parish of Donegal. Father: Isaac Graham farmer Witnesses: William Graham & James P. Maxwell
26	Apr 1 1852	Creighton Morrow 38 years bachelor farmer Drimmardough? Father: David Morrow farmer & Sarah Morrow 18 years spinster Homes Hugh Morrow farmer Witnesses: Robert Morrow & Richard Morrow
27	Jun 8 1852	William McAlhinny 50 years widower farmer Drimardough. Father: Thomas McAlhinny farmer Mary Freeborn 35 years spinster Lackan. Father: Francis Freeborn? farmer Father: James Graham & Andrew Freeborn
28	Sep 2 1852	John Wray 28 years bachelor farmer Arnagasson. Father: James Wray farmer & Jane Wray 23 years spinster Townlough. Father: Joseph Wray farmer Witnesses: Joseph Wray & James Maxwell
29	Oct 7 1852	James Maxwell 20 years bachelor teacher Tullybrook. Father: Steen Maxwell teacher & Sarah Fullerton 22 years spinster teacher Mullins. Father: George Fullerton farmer Witnesses: Thomas Graham & Noble Galbraith
30	Oct 12 1852	David Carson 26 years bachelor farmer Minchyfin. Father; John Carson farmer & Ann Walker 25 years spinster Minchyfin. Father: David Walker nailor Witnesses: James Maxwell & John Lentin
31	Nov 20 1852	Andrew Walker full age bachelor weaver Lackan. Father: James Walker weaver & Elizabeth Scott full age spinster Moyne. Father: Sandy Scott farmer Witnesses: James Maxwell & Ebinezer Maxwell
32	Jan 25 1853	James McElhinney 30 years bachelor farmer Lacken. Father: Thomas McElhinney farmer & Mary-Ann Morrow 32 years spinster Clarcam. Father: Hugh Morrow farmer Witnesses: James Maxwell & John Lenton
33	Feb 2 1853	John Farrell 28 years bachelor farmer Drimlark. Father: James Farrell farmer & Ann Freeborn 28 years spinster Lacken. Father: Richard Freeborn farmer Witnesses: James Maxwell & Hugh White
34	Mar 3 1853	James Kincaid full age bachelor Lurganboy. Father: Thomas Kincaid weaver & farmer & Eliza Linn full age spinster Ballinakilly. Father: William Linn farmer Witnesses: James Maxwell & Andrew Moorhead
35	Jan 12 1854	Robert Maneely 22 years bachelor farmer Clarcalm. Father: William Maneely farmer & Betty Morrow 21 years spinster Clarcalm.. Father: Robert Morrow farmer Witnesses: Thomas Owens & Isaac Graham
36	Mar 14 1854	Robert White 26 years bachelor farmer Drimnahoul. Father: George White coast guard & Margaret Farrell 18 years spinster Leghawney. Father: John Farrell farmer Witnesses: Thomas Owens & Andrew Freeborn
37	Aug 1 1854	George Coulter 40 years widower farmer Creven. Father: Robert Coulter farmer & Betty Wray 45 years widow Aughlin. Father: Arthur Maneely farmer Witnesses: Francis Farrell & Thomas Owens
38	Sep 28 1854	James Graham 21 years bachelor farmer Drumgowan. Father: William Graham farmer & Mary Cunningham 22 years spinster Drumgowan. Father: George Cunningham farmer Witnesses: James Johnston & John Scott
39	Oct 12 1854	Hugh Ramsay 21 years bachelor farmer Drimaghan. Father: Mark Ramsay farmer & Ann Wray 21 years spinster Aughegassan. Father: Joseph Wray farmer Witnesses: John Little & John Grier
40	Oct 25 1854	Alexander Marshall 29 years bachelor farmer Rossilly. Father: David Marshall farmer & Eliza Anne Thompson 21 years spinster Brookfield. Father: Samuel Thompson minister Witnesses: James Wright & Samuel Thompson, Junr.
41	Nov 21 1854	William Love 26 years bachelor servant Brookfield. Father: William Love farmer & Catherine Elliott 21 years spinster Screen? Father: Robert Elliott farmer Witnesses: James Gallagher & William Thompson
42	Dec 6 1984	James Virtue 36 years widower servant Drimgowan. Father: David Virtue farmer & Margaret Rutherford 21? years Drimgowan. Father: Robert Rutherford carpenter Witnesses: Francis Farrell & William Graham
45	Dec 21 1854	Andrew Wray 21 years bachelor farmer Arneygasson. Father: Andrew Wray farmer & Margaret Graham 18 years spinster Cully. Father: James Graham farmer Witnesses: Thomas Owens & Andrew Graham
44	Jan 25 1855	William Scott 25 years bachelor farmer Carmollin? Father: Patrick Scott farmer & Martha Carson 21 years spinster Loughnadaragh. Father: John Carson farmer Witnesses: William Scott & James Freeborn
45	May 1 855	Thomas Morrow 20 years bachelor farmer Copany. Father: Hugh Morrow farmer & Nancy McElhinny 24 years spinster Drimindagh. Father: John McElhinny farmer Witnesses: James Johnston & Eliza Jane Johnston
46	May 22 1855	John Scott 28 years bachelor farmer Ballybulgan. Father: Samuel Scott farmer & Jane Clarke 26 years spinster Ratinny. Father: Alexander Clarke famer Witnesses: Thomas Scott & Joseph Clarke
47	Jan 10 1856	John Brandon full age widower merchant Donegal. Father: William Brandon farmer & Fanny Scott full age spinster Donegal. Father: John Scott farmer Witnesses: John G. Laird & Henry Montgomery Linn?
48	Feb 13 1856	Hugh Graham full age bachelor farmer, Tully. Father: John Graham farmer & Mary Montgomery full age spinster Ballydevitt. Father: James Montgomery farmer Witnesses: Robert Bustard & Eliza Graham
49	Feb 21 1856	William Patterson 27 years bachelor farmer Edrim Glebe. Father: David Patterson farmer & Jane Wray 26 years spinster Arneygassin. Father: Andrew Wray farmer Witnesses: Gilbert Wray & Thomas Owens
50	Feb 19 1857	Robert Farrell full age bachelor teacher of National School Lighoaney. Father: John Farrell school master Elenor Farrell full age spinster Driminardagh. Father: Thomas Farrell farmer Witnesses: Samuel Thompson & Mary Jane Thompson
51	Nov 12 1857	John Bustard full age bachelor farmer Corvin, Parish of Donegal. Father: Andrew Bustard farmer & Eleanor Wray 19 years spinster Arnagassin, Parish of Donegal. Father: Andrew Wray farmer Witnesses: Robert Hamilton & Gilbert Wray
52	Mar 9 1858	Andrew Nelson full age bachelor carpenter Rossnowlagh, Parish of Drumholm. Father: Andrew Nelson farmer & Susan McAlister full age spinster Sperestown, Parish of Donegal. Father: Stephen McAllister weaver Witnesses: Robert Jennings & George Stevenson
53	Feb 15 1859	John Scott full age bachelor farmer Ballybulgan. Father: Hugh Scott farmer & Margaret Thompson full age spinster Mullinacross. Father: Matthew Thompson farmer Witnesses: William Graham & John Graham
54	Feb 24 1859	Hugh Wray 19 years bachelor farmer Arnegassin. Father: James Wray farmer & Susan Hanna 18 years spinster Kuldrum. Father: John Hanna farmer Witnesses: Robert B. Maxwell & Stephen Hanna
55	Mar 15 1859	Hugh Morrow full age bachelor seaman Homes or Summerhill. Father: Hugh Morrow farmer & Sarah Hewitt full age spinster Glen, Mountcharles. Father: Andrew Hewitt farmer Witnesses: William Hewitt & Robert B. Maxwell
56	Sep 22 1859	David Virtue full age widower commission merchant Donegal. Father: James Virtue farmer & Catherine Scott full age spinster Donegal. Father: James Virtue farmer Witnesses: Robert Scott & James Virtue
57	Nov 26 1859	John McIntyre full age bachelor gardener Lough Eske. Father: Daniel McIntyre farmer & Margaret Bustard full age spinster Corvin. Father: Adam Bustard farmer Witnesses: William Sweney & John Bustard
58	Mar 22 1860	Henry Wray 28 years bachelor merchant Donegal. Father: John Wray farmer & Sarah White 21 years spinster Drumlask. Father: George White coast guard Witnesses: Joseph Smith & Edward Hammond
59	Oct 25 1860	William Sweney 22 years bachelor shoemaker Drimgowan. Father: William Sweney farmer & Jane Graham 21 years spinster Drimgowan. Father: John Graham farmer Witnesses: George Bustard & John Graham
60	Nov 1 1860	Walter Farrell 27 years bachelor farmer Drumlask. Father: Francis Farrell farmer & Isabella Crawford 21 years spinster Tullyarl. Father: George Crawford farmer Witnesses: John …..? & George Crawford
61	Mar 2 1861	William Meneely 30 years bachelor traveling agent Arneygasson. Father: William Meneely farmer & Mary Graham 24 years spinster Arneygasson. Father: Isaac Graham farmer Witnesses: James Graham & Robert Bustard
62	Apr 11 1861	Thomas Ellis full age bachelor farm servant Drimgowan. Father: James Ellis farmer & Margaret Ingram full age spinster Tullyearl. Father: Arthur Ingram farmer Witnesses: George Graham & Eliza Stewart
63	Apr 8 1862	James Elvin 28 years bachelor farmer Woodland. Father: James Elvin farmer & Bessy Wray 24 years spinster Townlough. Father: Joseph Wray farmer Witnesses: Francis Wray & John Wray
64	Aug 17 1863	William Wray full age widower farmer Arneygasson. Father: James Wray farmer & Eliza McCredy full age widow Clar. Father: Thomas McCredy farmer Witnesses: Francis Farrell & John Cassidy

 

 

RULING ELDERS AND COMMISSIONERS FROM DONEGAL AND BALLYSHANNON CONGREGATIONS ATTENDING MEETINGS OF THE LAGAN PRESBYTERY 1620-70

Surname	Given Name
BAYLY	George
BRATTON	John
CRAWFORD	David
CRAWFORD	James
DELAP	Robert
EARLE	James
GORDON	Robert
HALL	John
LOVE	Alexander
McCLURG	Alexander
McILWAIN	Lieut.
MENZIES	John
NOBLE	William
SCOT	Lieut.
SHANKLAND	Gilbert
STEVENSON	Hugh
STEWART	Walter
TURBET	James
VANCE	John

 

Information from Donegal Democrat articles June/July 1974, from the Drumhome Heritage Society, Dec. 12 2020

Rathneeny Presbyterian Church celebrated the Tercentenary of the Rathneeny Congregation during the week 23rd to 30th June 1974. The Church on the Old Laghey Road is the oldest existing church building owned by the Congregation in the county.

 

First Minister in 1674.

The history of Donegal Presbyterian Church at Rathneeny is indeed an interesting one. In 1674 the Lagan Presbytery appointed Mr. William Henry to be the first Minister of Donegal. His charge stretched as far as Clyhore outside Belleek where he preached one Sunday out of three. In those far off days both clergy and worshippers had to travel long distances by horse and on foot. The next Minister Mr. Thomas Craighead came from Scotland and was ordained in 1698.

The first Church at Rathneeny was built around this time. Mr. Craighead was succeeded by Rev. John Holmes who ministered from 1715 to 1744. He was followed by Rev. Andrew Hamilton who died in 1764.

List of Ministers up until 1974 at the time of the 300th Celebrations were as follows:

Rev. Robert Caldwell 1767-1791

Rev. William Houston 1791-1824

Rev. Samuel Thompson 1824-1861

Rev. Archibald Lowry 1861-1881

Rev. William Waddle 1881-1884

In 1884 Rathneeny was united with the Donegal Town Congregation. Rev. Robert Nelson took charge of both places.

The following are the Ministers of Donegal since the Union,

Rev. Robert Nelson. 1884-1924

Rev. A. A. G. Kirkpatrick 1921-1926

Rev. R. H. Gilmore 1927-1931

Rev. T. R. Johnston 1933-1938

Rev. A. E. C. Rowan 1940-1949

Rev. V. H. Ryan 1949-1951

Very Rev. T. M. Barker 1951-1959

Rev. Charles Marshall 1960 to current at the time of 1974.

The first Rathneeny Church dates back to 1674. Originally it was a thatched building with a clay floor. It served the congregation for about 100 years before being replaced by the current building in 1801.

During the weeklong Celebration of the Tercentenary of Rathneeny congregation in June 1974, large crowds attended services, talks and events in Ballyshannon, Rathneeny and Donegal Town.

The service in Donegal Town was given by Rev. C. Marshall and was broadcast on R.T.E. The Choir was conducted by Mrs. N. Simpson and the organist was Miss Shay Glenn.

After the service, an exhibition of Presbyterian historical items was opened by Very Rev. Dr. William Boyd. Some of these interesting items on display included an old minute book of Lagan Church, which is as old as the Annals of the Four Masters, a letter from the Rev. James Porter, the renowned Presbyterian Minister who was hanged on a tree outside his Church in Greyabbey [Co. Down] for his part in the 1788 rebellion. A pitch pipe which was used to find the correct note for the congregation before organ or other known church instruments were in use, a pewter Communion Token, Pew Rent Books, minute books of the famine years.

 

Rathneeny Churchyard has served as the graveyard for members of Donegal Presbyterian Congregation from 1930

Rathneeny Presbyterian Church in Laghy, County Donegal - Find a Grave Cemetery

 

EARLY CONNECTIONS TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Return visit of Donegal Community in U.S.A.

In 1714 a group of emigrants from Donegal settled in the valley of Chicquesalunga in Pennsylvania U.S.A. and their church is called Donegal Springs Church. It is interesting to note that in that area of Pennsylvania there are two townships, Donegal East and Donegal West, having then in 1974 a total population of over ten thousand.

These Presbyterians from Donegal as elsewhere in the colonies pledged themselves to the cause of Independence and the names of those who served in Washington's Army are inscribed on a memorial in the Church grounds. In the grounds of the same Church is also a 'Witness Tree' a white oak said to be three to four hundred years old. A congregation from the U.S. sent a delegation back to Donegal to partake in the Tercentenary Celebrations at Rathneeny.

On the Sunday evening a tree planting ceremony was held in the grounds at Rathneeny Church, where an Irish Oak was planted by Mrs. H. L. Temple, Donegal assisted by Mr. Herbert Moyer retired Minister of Donegal Presbyterian Church, Pennsylvania. This tree symbolises the association of Rathneeny with the daughter Church at Donegal Springs where a White Oak grows next to the Church for over nigh on 300 years. Mr. James White, T.D. conveyed the greetings of Dàil Eireann to the Congregation from the U.S.A.

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