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Gaston & McWilliams families

AntrimBallymoney (Antrim)

My 2 times great grandfather David Gaston (1826 - 4 Oct 1878) married Jane McWilliams (1832 - 7 June 1872) in Dunloy Presbyterian church Ballymoney on 9 Sept 1852.

David was a farmer. They had 5 sons and one daughter.

David's father was a farmer, also named David. Jane's father was Robert Sherrard McWilliams and mother was Jane Stevenson.

Any information on the Gaston and McWilliams families would be greatly appreciated.

Brian.

bhd1958@live.com

7 replies

These are common surnames. What were the townlands (addresses) for each family on the marriage certificate? That will enable me to point you to the right family.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Elwyn,

The 1852 marriage certificate states "at Dunloy in the county of Antrim in the parish of Finvoy". It is the Presbyterian church. Jane gives her residence as Anticor, David's is Kilcreen.

I do know that Jane is buried at the 1st Killymurris Presbyterian church. David died of accidental drowning.

thanks,

Brian.

 

 

bhd1958@live.com

Brian,

I think the townland where David Gaston farmed was Killycreen  (which is sometimes referred to as Kilcreen). I see him listed in Griffiths Valuation for 1862 on plot 12a which was a house, offices (ie outbuildings) corn mill, kiln and a total of over 44 acres of land. Nearby on plot 11b was an Alexander Gaston who had a house and garden and is likely to be related. That farm today looks to be off the Killagan Rd, a mile or so north of Killymurris Presbyterian church.

A Martha Gaston was also farming on plot 19. Again she may be a relation, although Gaston is a very common name in the area. (Huegenot origins, I believe).

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=nameSearch

The revaluation records show the farm remaining in David Gaston’s name till 1879 when it changes to Hill Gaston. Then in 1883 to Alexander Luke. Then in 1884 to Robert Gaston, whose name remains there till 1929 when that series of records finishes. The property was rented.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/searching-valuation-revision-books

2 Gaston households in Killycreen in the 1901 census:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Glenbuck/Killyc…

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Glenbuck/Killyc…

1911:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Glenbuck/Killycreen/120371/

William James Gaston married Sarah Caldwell 8.7.1896. His father’s name was Robert Gaston.

I also see Robert McWilliams in Anticur on plot 21a which was a 28 acre farm. It changed to Samuel McWilliams in 1869. You can use the books to trace that property forward.

I found these probate abstracts on the PRONI wills site:

Administration of the Estate of Robert Gaston late of Kilcreen County Antrim Retired Farmer who died 9 January 1900 granted at Belfast to Margaret Jane Adams Married Woman.

Probate of the Will of Matty Ann Gaston late of Kilcreen County Antrim Widow who died 18 October 1908 granted at Belfast to Thomas Gregg and Thomas Linton Farmers. (This will is on-line, and is for Robert Gaston’s widow, the mother of William James who married Sarah Caldwell).

Administration of the Estate of David Gaston late of Kilcreen County Antrim Farmer who died 22 January 1911 at Shell Hill Coleraine County Londonderry granted at Belfast to Martha Gaston the Widow.

Gravestone inscription in Killymurris 1st Pres churchyard:

Erected by David Gaston of Kilcreen. In memory of his beloved wife Jane who departed this life 7th June 1872 aged 40 years. Also of his brother John.

4 Gaston households in Killycreen in the tithe applotment records for 1834:

http://www.irishgenealogyhub.com/antrim/tithe-applotments/rasharkin-par…

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Brian,

Do you happen to know any of Jane McWilliams's sibling names? I have a couple of McWilliams relatives is this same date range and wonder if there is any connection.

I know they were in Belfast, Antrim for sure but it may not have been the only place they were.  Here are my names:

James 1819-1894 (died in America)

Thomas 1822-1891 (died in America)

Charles 1839-1889 (died in America)

I am working on figuring out who their father was and I am leaning towards William McWilliams for numerous reasons which I can explain if there is a possible connection here.

Thanks,

Felicia McWilliams Froschmayer

email: fafroschmayer@sbcglobal.net (if you prefer)

Felicia McWilliams Froschmayer

Hi Felicia,

Thanks for your message.

My research tells me Jane McWilliams was born in 1832, the daughter of Robert Sherrard McWillams and Jane Stevenson, who were married in 1827. While Jane's birth date fits within the range of the 3 men you list above the marriage date of Robert and Jane suggests they may not be the siblings of Jane.

Jane married David Gaston on 9 Sept 1852 and died 7 June 1872.

I don't have any record of siblings for her....but that's not to say she didn't have any. I was mostly focussed on her and her parents as they are direct ancestors of mine.

My Gastons and McWilliams were farmers in the area between Ballymoney and Ballymena. So I don't think they lived in Belfast.

I'm not sure this helps you much....but feel free to ask any other questions...and please let me know if you have any other info on the McWilliams.

cheers,

Brian (near Melbourne Australia)

bhd1958@live.com

Hello! I'm seeking information on the McWilliams Family of Loughguile. Robert McWilliams  was born in 1822 and lived in the Parish of Loughguile, Antrim Co. Robert immigrated to the US on July 19, 1841 from Glasgow, Scotland. I believe he was the brother of John McWilliams born 1815 in Antrim Co. John studied shoemaking in Cloughmills and immigrated to the US in August 1837 from Liverpool, England. I believe Robert was also the brother of Elizabeth McWilliams who married Daniel McIlhutton in November 1841 in New Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland. I believe he was also the brother of Samuel McWilliams born 1825 in Antrim Co. Samuel immigrated to the US in August 1843 from Liverpool, England. All these McWilliamses settled in Iowa Co., WI.

robmcw

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