Is anyone aware of any Armstrongs that moved to County Down?
I am searching for John Armstrong who married Esther McDowell, I assume John died prior to 1863 because Esther is listed in the Griffiths Evaluation as a land owner and there is no mention of John. Esther died prior to 1867, this is when her property was recorded as belonging to their son, William. Her death is not registered, and someone has listed her death date as 3 February 1864. No documentation though. John Armstrong's parents are Robert Armstrong and Nancy Scott (both border names). My family were farmers and lived in Legananny, County Down. There are still Armstrongs there today. I've exhausted all my leads in Down, and am wondering when the Armstrongs arrived in Down. I have a marriage record for John and Esther in 1796, but given their known childrenwere born between 1818 and 1847, I can't help but wonder if this is another couple. Is it feasible to bare children for 40 years? Since there are only two Armstrong farms in 1863,Esthers' and Roberts'(first child),is it possible they were fairly new to Down? Some believe all of the Irish Armstrongs descended from one man, who lived in Fermanagh, so I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any Armstrongs moving to Down. Earliest record I have is a christening for a child in 1833, but according to the 1901 census, a child was born in Down in 1822. Esther's landlord was Earl Annesley, so I'm also wondering if there's a way to access rent information. Thanks for your help!