Gunning, Alexander (b 1830 Carrickfergus, d 1885 Australia)

Thanks Elwyn,

Alexander Gunning married Sarah McPhee in Australia on the 5th December 1859 according to the rights of the Presbyterian Church.  This is the only reference I have to a denomination for the family; however Sarah McPhee was born and baptised in Lockyside, Scotland - so the denomination may have been from the McPhee family?

Will try and navigate the PRONI website and see how I go.

kind regards - Jacqui

 

Hello Jacqui and Elwyn

I don't know if any of my information is of any use to you, but I thought I would share just in case. 

My 3rd Great Grandfather John Gunning was a Salt Merchant in York Street, Belfast and was an agent for Dalevoy Rock Salt Mines, (I have been unable to establish where the Dalevoy Mine was, but do know that there were salt mines near Carrickfergus) he died 28th Nov, 1878 at The Kinegar, Holywood.

I have no idea of where he was born or of any siblings. I do know that the family was Presbyterian.

John married Margaret Wightman from Lisburn, Antrim in Holywood on 17th Dec, 1839. Margaret's family were Linen Merchants and were very involved in the Presbyterian church with links to the Fulton and Henderson Families of Lisburn and the Rev Andrew Craig.

They had 4 daughters that I am aware of :

1. Anna Wightman Gunning (my 2nd Grt Grandmother) born 1841 who married William Moore and moved to Glasgow,

2. Margaret Wightman Gunning born 1842 who was the 2nd wife of Henry Todd, a Pawnbroker, they stayed in Belfast,

3. Emily Wightman Gunning born 1843 who married Alexander Smith at Whiteabbey Church, Belfast and moved to Australia,

4. Elizabeth Wightman Gunning born 1845 who looked after her mother and after she died in 1880, moved to Australia where she became the 2nd wife of James Reid whom she married in Victoria.

I have been able to establish that there were quite a few Gunnings in Carrickfergus and there were some in Galway.

I have a letter from my fathers cousin who was raised by her Grandmother Annie Wightman Gunning MOORE/WALLACE (my Grt Grandmother) which states that Annie's Grandmother lived in Galway Bay and that her father was a Sea Captain, who sailed from Sweden to Ireland and Scotland with cargoes of Salt. I have a record of John Gunning of Belfast being the registered owner of the ship Isabella and Jane.

Through research I established that Dad's cousin did get a few things a little muddled and I did wonder if she had muddled Galway with Galloway in Scotland.

I hope this information is of some assistance to you.

Kind regards

Susan

 

Hi again Jacqui and Elwyn

The D889/2/64 dated 1862/1863 paperwork at PRONI is to do with Maria and Elizabeth Gunning born in Cambridgeshire to an Irish Gentleman John Gunning and Hon Bridget Bourke who married into the English aristocracy.

Whilst looking on PRONI yesterday for info on my John Gunning I saw some paperwork relating to Alexander Gunning

D1296/92 Alexander Gunning, Wrolway, Manaroo pertaining to granting Samuel Gunning POA to administer the sale of property in Carrickfergus

D1296/101 6 Jan 1870 - Alexander Gunning, Cooma, NSW re distribution of effects of the late Samuel Gunning - outlines family relationships

Cheers

Susan