Strongs of Donegal: The Website! Pulling the Puzzle Together-----
A Hypothesis concerning the History of the Donegal Bay Strong Families
Think, for a moment, about the structure of a puzzle. Most puzzles have a framework and a structure. They take various forms and are of various types... picture-puzzles, crossword puzzles, etc. Our Donegal Strong Puzzle has a form and a structure... and some unique features as well. To start with, the frame of the puzzle is geographic.... the area of the puzzle is around Donegal Bay, stretching from Ardara on the northwest Donegal coast to Sligo, and easterly to Enniskillen in County Fermanagh. It is surrounded by the confines of the north of Ireland, over into Lowland Scotland, and south into border England... and indeed there are insets from further afield... other parts of England and Scotland at large.
Internally, there is a structure that moves through time, flowing with the events of the history of the area within the framework through a period of about 400 years, from roughly 1600 to the present. Each of the individuals who lived, worked, and died within the framework and during the time structure of the puzzle constitute singular parts of the puzzle. The puzzle is multi-dimensional as well: each individual Strong was related to a Harron, a Spence, a Dudgeon, a Kilpatrick, and on through the list of related families. The shape of the puzzle seems to shift through time as we move along the "time-line". The pieces of the puzzle were spread world wide by the individuals who emigrated out of the framework... and various pieces have been lost forever, leaving us with the additional task of conjuring up their features so that we can fit them into the remaining parts of the puzzle which still exist.
Putting the puzzle together becomes an exercise in hitting a moving target. As the shape of the puzzle shifts and the parts scatter around the globe we seem to find a piece here or there, and then try to find where it fits... all the while trying to keep focus on the part of the puzzle which is relevant to the particular puzzle piece... before our minds shift to another shape image. Not the least of the problems has been the necessity to rely on secondary sources, and the efforts of many other individuals to examine and transcribe or interpret primary sources. Undoubtedly much has been missed and is yet to be discovered.
Keeping all of this in mind, and recognizing the difficulties involved, here is one more attempt to put the puzzle together. We have already described the geographic framework of the puzzle. Let's try examining the time structure of the puzzle. In attempting this, I have had the benefit of the structure provided in the "Some Donegal Sources" web page provided by John D. McLaughlin, as well as information gathered from various sources, some of which are transcribed on web pages again provided by John D. McLaughlin. The PRONI summary of their collection of The Murray of Broughton Papers (D/2860) has been useful. I have also had reference to various written sources, cited in the text below. The hypothesis which begins to take shape attempts to relate various events involving Donegal Bay Strong records as compiled in the Irish Strong Database, and other families, together with some speculation arising out of the results of the Strong Surname Y-DNA Study to this time line and discussion.
| Time Line & References to Records | Description | Strong Family Tenant Records | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1558:The Reign of Queen Elizabeth begins | |||
| 1588:The
Surrender of the Gaelic Lords in Donegal (Lands re-granted) |
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| 1600:
The English began establishing a military base in Derry |
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| 1601: State Papers of Ireland | The names of all the chief places of strength in O'Dogherty's country called Ennisowen, as well castles as forts; also of those in McSwyne Fanat's country." | ||
| 1601: State Papers of Ireland | Handwritten Notes by Sir Henry Dockwra on the septs of Inishowen (Not published in the standard edition of the State Papers) | ||
| 1602: Ballyshannon in County Donegal was finally taken by the English. | |||
| 1602: Pardon List (Inishowen) | (The standing army of Sir Cahir O'Dogherty) Fiant 6655 - Queen Elizabeth | ||
| 1603: Ascension to the English Throne by King James VI of Scotland, sometimes known as James VI and I |
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| 1603: Failed Uprising of Hugh O'Neill | |||
| 1607: The Flight of the Earls | |||
| 1608, April: The Revolt of Sir Cahir O'Dougherty | |||
| 1608:
The Irish lord McSwine's estate centered on Killybegs was confiscated by the crown in 1608 |
His seat, Castle Rahan, situated on St.John's Point near Killybegs in the Parish of Killaghtee was to become Castle Murray, part of the more than 40,000 acre estate of the Murray family of Broughton, Wigtownshire, Scotland. | ||
| 1608:The Plantation of Ulster begins | |||
| 1609-1641:The Plantation of Ireland, initiated by King James VI and I |
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| 1608-1618: Land Grants in Donegal | Land Grants (1608) - Pynnar's Survey (1618) | ||
| 1609: Pardon List (Donegal) | Pat. 6 James I (Primarily Inishowen but also General Donegal Names) | ||
| 1609: Inquisition at Liffer | Pat. 16 James I (The Herenagh septs of Donegal) | ||
| 1609: Inquisition at Derry | Pat. 16 James I (The Church Lands of Derry) | ||
| 1609-1613: Murray Estate established in Co.Donegal | The Murray of Broughton Estate: George Murray of Broughton was one of a group of minor Scottish undertakers who obtained land in Boylagh and Banagh at the Plantation. Katharine Murray and Marryan Murray, alias Scott, appear in a 1638 rent roll of the estate. They apparently were named among the children of George Murray, Laird of Broughton, and at the time of their father's death in Lifford in 1613, had not been duly legitimised. In consequence, Broughton's Donegal estates reverted to the Crown. See: "Two Early Seventeenth Century County Donegal Rent Rools", by Simon Elliott, Donegal Annual, No.54 (2002), pp.61-65. | Note the apparent profligacy of George Murray of Broughton. This begs the question whether he may have had MALE illegitimate children bearing names other than Murray whose descendants today would bear Murray genetic Y-DNA markers. | |
| 1613-1618: Murray Estate in Co.Donegal consolidated by John Murray of Cockpool | The Murray family seat was at Cally, near Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbright, in South-west Scotland. John Murray was a younger son of Sir Charles Murray of Cockpool, a Dumfriesshire laird descended of a long line of courtiers. Family influence had led to his intoroduction as a young man to the Scottish court, where he succeeded a brother as Master of the Hourse. Murray accompanied James VI to London in 1603, and attained positions of exceptional trust. It was he who welded the George Murray of Broughton forfeited estate and other nearby properties into one estate. A distant relative of the Broughton family, he was subsequently created 1st Earl of Annandale. See: "No more to be got off the cat but the skin: Management, Landholding and Economic change on the Murray of Broughton Estate, 1670-1755", by Graeme Kirkham (being Chapter 12) in Donegal History and Society, ed.by Nolan, Ronayne, & Dunlevy; Geography Publications, Dublin, 1995; p.357,358; and "Two Early Seventeenth Century County Donegal Rent Rools", by Simon Elliott, Donegal Annual, No.54 (2002), pp.61-65. | ||
| 1622: Chichester Leases (Inishowen) | Leases by Chichester in Inishowen | ||
| 1628: Rent Roll of Derry | Heads of Household in Derry | ||
| 1630: Muster
Rolls Strong Family |
Muster Rolls of Donegal (Settler Population). Includes John Murray's Boylagh & Banagh Estate. | No Strongs appear in the Muster Rolls. | |
| May,1631-30Aug1638: Murray Estate Rent Rolls Strong Family |
Found in the muniment room at Scone Palace, Perthshire home of the Earl of Mansfield, collateral descendant of John Murray of Cockpool: two early and remarkably detailed rent rolls, relating to the Manor of Ballyweele and the Corporation Lands of Killybeggs (but excluding the Rosses and other of the Propertions of the Murray Estate in Boylagh & Banagh). See:"Two Early Seventeenth Century County Donegal Rent Rolls", by Simon Elliott, Donegal Annual, No.54 (2002), pp.61-75. | Note that while No Strongs are found in this reproduction of the rent rolls, the rolls do NOT include the Castle Murray Estate... thus it is open to question whether any Strongs might have been tenants in Killaghtee Parish at this early date. | |
| 1640: Death of John Murray, 1st Earl of Annandale; succeeded by only son, James Murray as 2nd Earl of Annandale | |||
| Rising of 1641: Irish Rebellion: by the native Gaelic Irish | |||
| 1641: Castle Rahan, aka Castle Murray, Killybegs. Strong Family |
Just to the east of Killybegs along Donegal Bay is a promontory known as St. John's Point. It is a six mile long spit of land protruding like a gnarled finger south-westward into the Bay. It has a considerable number of historic sites, and was apparently taken over by the English at the time of the Plantation. Castle Rahan, located on a promontory on the point, dated from the mid-fifteenth century. Confiscated, during the Plantation it was initally given to the Scots Planter, William Stuart, and then to John Murray, later Earl of Annandale, for whom one Herbert Maxwell was an active agent. The castle was garrisoned and held during the 1641 Rising by local planters who were part of Sir Ralph Gore's regiment. See: M. Kenny, "English Silver Coins, 1560-1640", Donegal Annual, Vol.XIII, No.4, 1980, p.491-492; and C.Conaghan, "The Antiquities of St.John's Point", Donegal Annual (1977) p.53,54. | Note, IF Strongs were among the defenders of the castle in 1641, a muster roll would likely show them. NO SUCH document has been found as yet. | ~1642-1646: Names of the "Cromwellian" Adventurers for Land in Ireland From "Irish Pedigrees" by John O'Hart, vol 2 (Note: Adventurers awarded Lands in Ireland ~1653 in payment) |
| 1646-1649:
The English Civil War, ending with the beheading of King Charles I |
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| 1649-1659:
The Commonwealth era, under the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell |
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| 1651: Cromwell Invades Ireland | |||
| 1654: Civil Survey (Donegal) | Holders of land and leases in Donegal in 1654 | ||
| 1654:Index to the Civil Survey | Names Appearing in the Civil Survey of 1654 | ||
| 1659: Census of Ireland | Principle Irish names and (Landlord) "Tituladoes" | ||
| 1660-1689:The Restored Stuart Monarchy of Kings Charles II and James II. | |||
| Early 1660's-1672: Murray Estate in Boylagh & Banagh, Co.Donegal | Following a complex legal dispute, possession of the Estate was gained by Richard Murray of Broughton. Murray and his wife resided in Killybegs for several years, returning to Scotland in 1672 during an acute downturn in the Irish economy. The Murray family was never again to reside on its Irish lands. Richard Murray seems to have been financially strapped throughout the period of his ownership, and was forced to mortgage or sell portions of the property. He sold a large area of the original Donegal property, including the Rosses and a significant estate around Mount Charles to his cousin Sir Albert Conyngham in the 1660's. There was a subsequent dispute between Murray and Conygham as to whether to transaction amounted to a mortgage payable from Estate revenues for a limited term of years (Murray's view), or was a total alienation of the property (Conygham's view). Conyngham ultimately prevailed. See: Donegal Estates and Society, pp.357-359. | It can be speculated that the earliest members of the Strong family to appear in County Donegal may have been brought there by Richard Murray. This MIGHT be a function of the possible relationship between them as speculated in DNA Study Note #7 re origins of Donegal Bay Strongs. Examination of the primary sources, the Rent Rolls and correspondance of this period could be quite helpful! | 1665:
Hearth Money Rolls (Donegal) Strong Family |
Heads of Households in Donegal. George Strong & Thomas Strong listed in Parish of Killaghtee, which was part of Murray Estate. Irish Data Base Records #1446 & 1447 ===> There is speculation they may somehow have been related to the Murray family. See: DNA Study Note #7 re origins of Donegal Bay Strongs | First record of Strongs in Donegal Bay area; established in Killaghtee Parish in the Murray Estate. |
| 1673: Survey of tenures on Murray Estate | The Survey listed two old leases for "lives in being", a variety of leases for between 21 and 41 years, and 19 freeholds. Five of the freeholds predated Richard Murray's possession, but the remainder had been set by him during his recent residence. See: Donegal Estates and Society, pp.357-359. A succession of Land or Estate Agents, including Robert Spence of Donegal-town, Capt. Thomas Knox, James Hamilton of Mount Charles, Co. Donegal, Andrew Patton, and Henry McDowell, thereafter managed the Estate for the Murray absentees in Scotland. Their voluminous correspondance contains "many shrewd comments on the development of the estate", and could be usefully mined for information concerning many of the tenant families. See: The Murray of Broughton Papers (D/2860); Kirkham in "Donegal Estates and Society"; and Elliott, "Two Early Seventeenth Century Co.Donegal Rent Rolls", both cited herein. | ||
| 1689-1691: James II deposed, first in England, then Scotland,and following The Battle of the Boyne, in Ireland |
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| 1690: Death of Richard Murray, in Scotland | Note: Richard Murray's influence on the management of the estate lasted from 25 to 30 years, and seems to have been more knowledgable than his successor heirs. His actual residence in Donegal from 1660's thru 1672, combined with on-going contacts in Scotland seems likely to have been the source of influx of certain tenant families from Scotland to Donegal. | ||
| 1691-1702: Battle of The Boyne completes "The Glorious Revolution of 1689", and establishes the reigns of King William III and Queen Mary. |
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| 1691: Thomas Knox, Estate Agent | A month after the Treaty of Limerick, Thomas Knox, then agent for the neighbouring Conyngham estate, proposed that he should also act as agent for the Murrays and sought a power of attorney to act for the widow Lady Murray, and her son, John Murray, a minor and heir to the Estate. See: Donegal Estates and Society, pp.357, at 359. Richard Murray's death left the widow Lady Murray somewhat at the mercy of Conygham and his agent, Knox. This may have led to settlement, circa 1696, of the ownership dispute in favor of Conygham; and probably also led to a later growth in the influence of Captain James Hamilton, of Mount Charles, in the management of the estate. | ||
| 1697: Hamilton Family established at Brown Hall | The Hamilton (Brown Hall) Estate: Probably by virtue of distinguished service during the Revolution of 1688 as a member of the Enniskillen Defenders, Captain James Hamilton obtains lease on Trinity College Lands and is established at Brown Hall in Drumhome Parish, Tirhugh Barony, Co. Donegal. See: "The Actions of the Enniskillen-men", by Andrew Hamilton, London (1690), Reprint edition, Castlepoint Press, Colvend, Dalbeattie, Scotland (2001); and see The Significance of the Hamilton Family (in The Donegal Strong Puzzle) | ||
| 1699: Murray's, Absentee Landlords, distanced from tenantry | Murray Estate Agent Thomas Knox pointed out to John Murray, now of age, that 'were it not for the care and management of Col. Conyngham, as matters now stand, there are but few tenants on your estate that would acknowledge you in a sixpence, other than on their own terms'. The uncertainties and factional feeling arising from the legal dispute between the Murrays and the Conyghams had created a schism between the Murray family and its major tenants. There were a 'dozen of gentlemen' described by Thomas Knox in correspondance of that year as holding 'estates' from John Murray who were freeholders occupying more than 12,000 acres of the property. Several of these freeholders also held leaseholds on the estate and they constituted a locally powerful and entrenched group with wide-ranging kinship ties between them, to the family and, to a lesser extent, with the Murrays. Many of the families had been in the area for several generations. By 1700, however, these ties of kinship and obligation were breaking down and the support of this group - 'raised and bred up even from nothing' by their connection with the Murrays, as Knox put it - could no longer be relied upon. See: Donegal Estates and Society, pp.357, at 360. It seems likely the events of the period 1689-1699 led a number of Murray Estate tenants to seek opportunities elsewhere, including leases of other properties from nearby landlords, including the Hamilton family and the Ffolliot family, both of which had been active in the defense of the Donegal Bay to Enniskillen region during the Glorious Revolution. See: "The Actions of the Enniskillen-men", by Andrew Hamilton, London (1690), Reprint edition, Castlepoint Press, Colvend, Dalbeattie, Scotland (2001) | ||
| 1701Jul31: Strong Family | Irish Data Base Record #1792 ===> | Drumhome Church of Ireland burial record: Rebecka Strong, daughter of John Strong, Ballintra. Implies that by 1701, Strongs were branching out, establishing tenancies on Estates other than that of Murray. Ballintra was and is a placename closely associated with Brownhall and the Hamilton Estate, and included Aghadowey and Drumbarron Townlands, where Strongs held tenancies for many years. | |
| 1703-1798: "Century of Peace" in Ireland, during which the planted Protestant Ascendency ruled economically, socially, and politically. |
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| 1704: John Murray dies, succeeded by his brother, Alexander Murray | See: Donegal Estates and Society, pp.357, at 360. | ||
| 1708Feb13: Strong Family | Irish Data Base Record #280 ===> | Drumhome Church of Ireland burial record: George Strong, Ballintra. Was this the same George Strong as that found in the 1665 Hearth Money Rolls? Was it George who moved, leaving Thomas as a tenant of the Murray Estate? Can the DNA divergence between kits #5811 and 6643 (possible descendants of George: DYS385b=15) & #6761 and 8431 (possible descendants of Thomas: DYS385b=16) be traced to this point in time? | |
| 1704: The Penal Code enacted against Catholics | |||
| 1708: The
Test Acts enacted to assure Protestants in Offices and Power |
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| 1716: Ffolliot Estate: Death of Henry Folliot Third Baron of Ballyshannon |
With the death of Henry Folliott in 1716 the title, Baron of Ballyshannon, became extinct and much of the Folliott property was subsequently sold... (to William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish Parliament)... See: Note re History of the Folliot Family | ||
| 1718: Murray Estate: 21 year Leases previously granted due to expire | See: Donegal Estates and Society, pp.357, at 361. | ||
| 1718: William Conolly purchases Folliot Estate near Ballyshannon | William Conolly's Ballyshannon Estate: Part of the Conolly Estate of Co.Donegal was originally granted in about 1610 to Francis Gofton, Auditor to the Lord Deputy of Ireland. Gofton then sold his Ballyshannon Estate to Sir Henry Folliot. 36 = Estates #37)} According to John B. Cunningham's article, "William Conolly's Ballyshannon Estate 1718-1726", Gofton's successor, Lord Folliott sold the estate to William Conolly, his legal advisor, in 1718 for £52,000. The estate had a stated rental income of £2,000 fer annum plus £450 for the Erne Fishery. The Ballyshannon estate totalled some 18,900 acres. Conolly also rented "College" lands in the area from Trinity College, Dublin, to the extent of about 1719 acres for £292-18-10.5. Additionally, he had an estate in Co. Fermanagh around Ballinamallard, called Newporton, totalling 4212 acres with a rental of £582-4-11, and lots in the town of Ballyshannon, the fishery of Ballyshannon, the warren at Finure, Mills, Tenements on the Carriggboys side of Ballyshannon, a tanyard and storehouse at Balleek, and Tenements and mills at Ballynemallar. 37 = Estates #38)} | Note: No Strongs appear in the 1718 Rent Rolls of the Ffolliot Estate when sold to Conolly. | |
| 1719: Alexander Murray assumes control of Murray Estate grants series of 7 year leases. |
See: Donegal Estates and Society, pp.357, at 361-362. | ||
| 1726: William Conolly's Ballyshannon Estate Strong Family |
The Conolly Estate of 1718-1726, non-inclusive of an additional "Fourteen Balliboes belonging to the Bishop of Raphoe", , extended roughly from Balleek to near Bundoran on the south of the River Erne, and on the north
bank of the river it extended from the sea at Ballyshannon several miles northward towards Rossnowlagh and then inland
to the east about five or six miles, to include Breesy Mountain about 5 miles northeast of Belleek. As described above
generally, the landlord usually let out his estate in sizable areas to one substantial tenant or to a combination of
substantial tenants. These tenants could sublet to others below them on the economic ladder at a profit for themselves, or
they could retain their own parcel and farm it themselves. 38 = Estates #39)}
Cunningham's article studies the estate records of renewals of the leases in about 1726, at the end of the 31 year term of the first leases. Using the estate records from the time of the sale from Lord Folliott to William Conolly in 1718, he was able to compare the rent charges to verify the renewals were at generally higher levels. 39 = Estates #40)} The lease renewals in question related to the "freeholders" or middlemen. Cunningham indicates that in the 1690's much land had been leased for 31 years at a low rent in the aftermath of the "Williamite War". A preponderance of Scots names are noted in the estate records for this period, and Cunningham suggests the source was Scots emigration to the north of Ireland which was apparently particularly strong in the mid-1690's due to a famine in Scotland around 1695-7. However, it seems quite likely the "Scots" names noted by Cunningham really were the surnames of various members of the Plantation Yeomanry which had been in the area around Donegal Bay since the very earliest days of the Plantation. Those very names are, of course, those under study in The Donegal Strong Puzzle. |
Will Strong found in Rent Roll lease of Ardillan (Ardeelane) Townland Irish Data Base Record #205 ===> | First of a number of records associating Strong Family with Ardeelane Townland |
| 1727-29: Alexander Murray raises rents while famine strikes James Hamilton, Estate Agent argues for moderation. |
Many tenants left the Murray estate; some to America, and some for other nearby estates. See: Donegal Estates and Society, pp.357, at 362-3. | ||
| 1730
Thomas Addi Audit of Lands & Rents for Alexander Murray, Laird of Broughton, Estate in Boylagh & Bannagh | See: Report of Thomas Addi in 1730 on the Murray of Broughton estate ; and See: Donegal Estates and Society, pp.357, at 363-4. | No Strongs listed. Had Thomas' descendants moved to other nearby estates? Note: subsequently finding Strongs on Murray Estate holdings implies a certain mobility within the tenantry... an ability to move back and forth between the various Estates as leaseholds became available. | |
| 1731
Thomas Addi installs bro-in-law, Henry McCulloch at Killybegs as rent collector for Alexander Murray, Laird of Broughton, Estate in Boylagh & Bannagh |
See: Donegal Estates and Society, pp.357, at 364. | Dale Strong's family included an intermarriage with a McCulloch, probably a descendant of Henry McCulloch. | |
| 1734-45
Recurrent poor harvests in Donegal with consequent famine and sickness |
Many tenants break or threaten to break leases and emigrate to America. See: Donegal Estates and Society, pp.357, at 367-8: July, 1736 letter from Alexander Crawford of Drumark and Drumgun (since before 1719) to Alexander Murray, complaining of Murray's broken promises, and difficulties in making a sufficient living, let alone payment of rents. | ||
| 1750: Alexander Murray dies, succeeded by his heir, James Murray | See: Donegal Estates and Society, pp.357, at 373. Speculatively, his 46 year ownership (1704-1750) of the Murray Estate may have significantly influenced the number of children in the various tenant families who were given the name "Alexander" during and after this period! Note, however, that Alexander was a relatively common Scottish name. | ||
| 1751-2: Improved economy and James Murray raises rents at renewal time, and grants longer terms of up to 3 lives in being or 31 years directly to tenants, excluding middlemen. | James Murray contemplates sale of the Estate. See: Donegal Estates and Society, pp.357, at 372-3. | ||
| 1773Feb13: Strong Family | Irish Data Base Record #860 ===> | Thomas Strong renting Meenanery Townland, Glencolmcille Parish; probably as middleman Ballyara rent rolls are in the H.G.Murray-Stewart records, Edinburgh PRO, and should be examined for further details. Thomas Strong rented townland from 1773 ff; probably resided at Ballyara; probably a descendant of Thomas Strong of Killaghtee, (1665). | Act of 1778
Catholics permitted to take leases contingent on an oath of allegience |
| 1778-1790: Catholic Qualification Rolls | Names of Catholic Persons taking an oath of allegience to the Crown | ||
| 1798-1815: The Napoleonic Wars, including the British-American War of 1812 |
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| 1816-1841: Hamilton Family estates at St. Ernan's and Brown Hall |
See "Forty Years as an Irish Landlord: (the life of Rev. J. Hamilton of St. Ernans)", by White. | ||
| 1842-1880: The Great Potato Famine and political movements to reform Irish Land Tenure, economics and society. |
1845:
Death of Alexander Murray Last of the Murray of Broughton lineage, seated at Cally, in Scotland |
He was succeeded by Horatio Glanville Stewart, a collateral relative, who changed his surname to Murray-Stewart. Thereafter references in the records are to the H.G. Murray-Stewart Estate. | |
| [Undated] Townlands of Donegal | The Towns and Townlands of Donegal | ||
| [Undated] Townlands of Londonderry | The Towns and Townlands of Londonderry |
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David B. Strong. Click for contact information.