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Foreman, McKnight and Watson families of Kilcorrig

AntrimMagheragall (Antrim)

I have been researching my father’s family tree (Campbell). I’m particularly interested in finding out more information about the family of my great grandmother Maria Jane Campbell (n?e Foreman) born 16 Feb 1872 in Belfast. (My source is: Ireland Births & Baptisms 1620-1887)

This is what I’ve found so far:

I have found connections to the Foreman, McKnight and Watson families of Kilcorrig.

Maria Jane is the daughter of John Foreman and Sarah McKnight (Sarah was born in Aug 1834, Kilcorrig, Magheragall parish). John and Sarah married on 4 June 1858 at Magheragall Church of Ireland, Lisburn. Sarah’s father was James McKnight and her mother was Maria Watson. Maria’s father was James Watson. John Foreman’s father was James Foreman and his mother was Catherine (I don’t know her maiden name).

I’ve checked PRONI records online and found the wills for Sarah’s brother William McKnight  (born 1821, Kilcorrig, died 14 June 1900, Lisburn) and John’s father James Foreman (born 1791, Kilcorrig, died 7 July 1861, Kilcorrig). I’ve also checked Griffith’s valuation and found William McKnight leased land at Ballinadolly and James McKnight (William’s father) leased land at Ballycarrickmady and Kilcorrig.

I’m interested in finding out any information about the Foreman, McKnight and Watson families in Kilcorrig and whether they stayed in the area (as they all seemed to come from Kilcorrig and later moved to Belfast). I’d also like to know more about the social history of the area at the time.

Christine.

 

IrelandXO member

6 replies

For the social history of the area I would recommend you look at the Ordnance Survey memoirs for Magheragall. This was a survey of life at the time (carried out for the government) which assesses each parish in Ireland in the mid 1830s. You get a snapshot of information about social economy, topography, occupations, diseases, transport, religion, ancient monuments, markets, banking arrangements, local clubs etc. The memoirs are published in a series of volumes, each containing several parishes, within each county. So you need the county Antrim volume that covers Magheragall. I do not know which volume number that is. The Ulster Historical Foundation were selling copies recently and you could try contacting them to see if they have the one you need. (Even if they don't have it, ask them for the volume number to help narrow your search elsewhere).

http://www.ancestryireland.com/

The  modern editions were published by the Institute of Irish Studies at Queens University, Belfast in 1995.

Ahoghill AntrimIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you very much for that quick response and the information. I will follow that one up.

Warm regards, Christine.

IrelandXO member

Hello Christine

We are related! My great grandmother is also Maria Jane Campbell (nee Foreman!). My grandfather is one of the Campbell sons! Have you found any other relatives? I am new to this.....

warm regards,

 

Kathy McKee

IrelandXO member

Hi Christine,  I don't think I'm much help to you, but I am also trying to understand the Watsons of Magheragall.  My 3rd Great Grandparents were Maria Watson married to Richard Scott (in1836).  Richard was the schoolteacher and they lived very close to Maghergall Church, so very close to yours in Kilcorig.  Maria had a brother, a tailor, called William.  I also have an untenable George and a tangled up Samuel that I theorise were either brothers or cousins, so I am always interested to hear about Watsons in Magheragall.  There is also a nephew John which I'm trying to connect.  I know there was a James Watson of Brookhill, but I don't think we have a connection there (there's no money amongst my lot!).

The Scotts lived on the Ballinderry Road, and right across the road were my other 3GGs John and Ann Bunting (nee Graham).  Two Scott daughters married two Bunting brothers, one pair being my 2nd Gt Grandparents.

I have found Griffiths very useful in creating some theories to work on, and it's how I found that the two families lived so close together.

 

 

 

Alison Beattie

Hello!

I am also researching the McNeights and Watsons from Kilcorig, Magheragall.

How do you know Maria Watson's father was James and not William?

See the tithe applotments for Magheragall.

Watson, Arthur Townland: Magheragell Year: 1827
Watson, Isabella Townland: Ballycarrickmaddy Year: 1827
Watson, James, Esq. Townland: Ballyclough Year: 1827
Watson, Jas. Townland: Kilcorig Year: 1827
Watson, John Townland: Ballyclough Year: 1827
Watson, Moses Townland: Ballyclough Year: 1827
Watson, Thomas Townland: Moneybroom Year: 1827
Watson, William Townland: Kilcorig Year: 1827
Watson, William Townland: Moneybroom Year: 1827

My relative is Wilhelmina Lawson McNeight and is mentioned in the codicil of Maria Watson McNeight's will. Wilhelmina was a "foundling...born in 1838" according Vestry minutes and states that James McNeight, husband of Maria is her father on her wedding cert. DNA results have proved recently that she is indeed related to James McNeight.

Anyway...just wondering what other information you have on these two families.

Thanks so much!

Sandy

Sandy Simpson

Hello everyone,
I am interested to read that Wilhelmina Lawson McNeight was a foundling, as recorded in the Vestry Minutes, and that Sandy has DNA proof that Wilhelmina was related to James McNeight (named as her father in her marriage cert to William Annett(e).
To cut a long story short William Annette and Wilhelmina Annett(e) nee McNeight are my great, great grandparents. They ended up living off the Shankill Road in Belfast.
I would be fascinated to learn more about the McNeights and in particular to hear from Sandy, and anyone else for that matter, on your thoughts about who might have been the biological mother of Wilhelmina and where the name Lawson or Lorsen (as I have found it is sometimes spelt) might have come from.
Thanks in anticipation,
Lou

Lu McMoo

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