Martin, Little and Jamison in Dromore
This is a compilation of my research so far. I hope to find others sharing this ancestry as well as more definitive information on these families in County Down. I apologize for the length, but didn't want to leave anything out. I've been working on this for over 10 years, so quite a bit has been accumulated.
David Little, my 2nd great grandfather, was born on 31 May 1834 in County Down, Northern Ireland. In 1856 he was a blacksmith in Dromore, Down, Northern Ireland, as listed on his marriage certificate. He arrived in Castle Garden, New York, NY on 17 November 1856. David lived in various towns in New York for several years before moving sometime between 1860 and 1863 to Oakland, Garrett County, MD near his wife's family. He continued working as a blacksmith in Oakland, MD. He was a Presbyterian Elder and a member of I.O.O.F. Shealtiel Lodge, No. 122 and an officer in 1881, finance committee. Also in 1879 he was a Town Commissioner in Oakland, MD. He died on 28 Jan 1897 at the age of 62 in Oakland, MD.
Elizabeth Jamison Martin and David Little were married on 1 Oct 1856 in 2nd Dromore Presbyterian Church, County Down, Northern Ireland. Their witnesses were Robert Martin and Jane Magee.
Elizabeth Jamison Martin was born in 1830 in Dromore, Down, Northern Ireland. I found an Elizabeth Martin born 30 October 1835 to John and Mary Martin in Dromore, but her father is listed as Joseph on her marriage certificate. She died on 16 Aug 1898 in Oakland, MD.
Information on their children is available, if it would be of any help.
Andrew Little, David's father, was born about 1810 in Northern Ireland. In 1856 he was a blacksmith in Dromore, Down, as listed on David's marriage certificate. Andrew may have been known as Andrew Lyttle as there is a Samuel Lyttle listed in the 2nd Dromore Presbyterian Church records of 1857.
Joseph Martin, Elizabeth's father, was born 1810 in Northern Ireland. In 1856 he was a weaver in Lisnacurran, Dromore, Down as listed on Elizabeth's marriage certificate. Joseph, his wife, and their children arrived in Castle Garden, NY, on 17 November 1856 (along with David Little). They settled in Oakland, MD. He died in April 1871 at the age of 61 in Oakland, MD. Possible family members in Dromore were John, Ellen and William Martin as they are listed in the 2nd Dromore Presbyterian Church records of 1857.
Mary Jamison was born in 1810 in Northern Ireland. She died on 30 Apr 1871 at the age of 61 in Oakland, MD. Interestingly, an Edmund Jamison served as a Garrett County commissioner in 1879 along with David Little. Perhaps he was related to Elizabeth's mother's family. I will check for him on the De Witt Clinton passengers' list, the ship on which David, Elizabeth and Elizabeth's family sailed.
Joseph and Mary Martin had the following children: Elizabeth Jamison Martin, born 1830 Dromore, Down; Thomas Martin was born in Jun 1833; George W Martin was born on 15 Apr 1834; Joseph Martin was born in Apr 1839; and John Martin was born about 1844. I presume all children were born in Dromore Parish.
SEARCHES: PRONI, GRO, Ancestry.com, Family History Library (LDS), Ros Davie's County Down rootsweb site, Raymond's County Down research site, Presbyterian Church Records, failteromhat.com, ulsterancestry.com, genforum and rootsweb message boards, Immigrant Savings Bank (NY), Scotch Irish Pioneers in Ulster and America. Charles Knowles Bolton. (1998), History of Western Maryland, Vol 2, John Thomas Scharf and Oakland, MD obituaries and tombstone inscriptions.
I understand that weavers and blacksmiths are probably not listed in the following, but wanted to include them as they may lead to a connection. Griffith's Evaluation (several possibilities), Tithe Applotment (Martin, Little and Jamison all in Drumgooland 1828) Freeholder's List (Joseph Martin in Ardbrin 1789), Slater's Commercial Directory of Ireland 1846 (Martin and Jamison are listed in Dromore), Pre-1858 Wills and Admons (George Jamison, Probate 1855 Dromore and Samuel Jamison Will 1829, Dromore), 1775 Dissenters Petitions (several Jameson in Drumgooland), Dromore Wills 1678-1858 (listings for Martin, Little and Jamison), Earliest Settlers in County Down (several possibilities for Jamison and Martin). I just don't know if there is a connection with these possible ancestors to my known ones (yet).
CURRENT SEARCHES: The Local History Librarian at the Downpatrick Library is looking for any reference to Andrew Little, blacksmith. I emailed 2nd Dromore Presbyterian Church asking for assistance. Library of Congress reference librarian look-up request in Immigrant ancestors of Marylanders, Martha Reamy. Waiting on responses.
Thank you to all who've helped me in the past and those who might assist in the future.
Beth