The Scottish settlers came from Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Stirlingshire, Argyllshire, Bute, Arran, the Borders, Kirkardbrightshire and Dumfries and brought their cattle with them. People with the following surnames appear to have settled the first dozen years: Adair, Agnew, Aicken, Allen, Anderson, Barkley, Bracklie, Boyle, Cathcart, Catherwood, Cowper, Craig, Crawford, Cunningham, Fraser, Harvey, Harper, Hunter, Kelso, Kennedy, Logan, Martin, Maxwell, McDougall, McIlveen, McMackene, Moore, Mowlen, Neil, Orr, Peacock, Sempill, Shaw, Spiere, Thompson, Williamson, Wilson, Wylie and Wymis. In 1659 there were 83 English/Scots & 63 Catholic families and the proprietors of the village were Roger Crymble, Robert Brearely,Henry Cresans, Archibald Mullen & William Brown.

In the 19th century, Donaghadee passed to the Delacherois family. (HN)

These lovely old photos (c. 1900 )of Donaghadee were kindly sent to me by Jeff Hampton. Left : Millisle Road, Donaghadee & Right; The Lighthouse in the Harbour.

Donaghadee Church of Ireland
just to the W of Main Street in Church Lane

A Catholic congregation was flourishing on this site in 1306 along with churches of Haytona (Ballyhay), Ralfetona ( Ballyrolly), Templepatrick & a chapel of St. Colman (Grangee).
This Church of Ireland parish church was built in 1626 by Hugh, Viscount Montgomery . A stone uncovered behind the pulpit says it was repaired in 1641. The Congregation of Scots and English settlers had an interesting disregard of the doctrinal details. In Donaghadee and Bangor Parishes at that time, Presbyterian clerics served as rectors. It was rebuilt 1833 and again in 1880.
It was described as a very old building in 1837 and still undergoing repairs then. It is in the form of a cross, measures 166 feet by 85 feet and is capable of holding 350 people. The rector in 1824 was Rev William Boyd & in 1830, 1843 & 1846 was , Rev. John Hill In 1910 it was Rev. R.H. Coote.

Newspaper articles from Down Recorder;
reopening of parish church 9 Jul 1881

Newspaper articles from Newtownards Chronicle;
Address & presentation to Rev. R.H. Coote 16 Mar 1889; row amongst congregation makes it to Petty Sessions 9 Nov 1889

Baptisms & burials from 1771 , marriages from 1772; ; North of Ireland FHS (www.nifs.org) has baptisms 1771-1900 & marriages 1772-1921 & buriald 1771-1923; graveyard attached; gravestone inscriptions available UHF Vol 16; email me for a gravestone look-up; also try http://www.bangor.homecall.co.uk/index.htm

Carrowdore Church of Ireland- Christ Church
in Woodburn Rd, Carrowdore, Drumfad townland

This church built in 1843 and the minister in 1863 was Rev. Andrew George Gilmore

North of Ireland FHS (www.nifs.org) has baptisms 1870-1921 & marriages 1846-1923 & burials 1868- 1999

This photo was kindly sent to me by Brian McCleary.

1st Presbyterian Church
in the centre of Donaghadee town in High Street next to the Town Hall

First Presbyterian, Donaghadee, traces its post-Reformation origins back to 1642. After the religious disruptions in 1661 a new 'Meeting House' was built at Killaughy (just outside the town), followed in the early 18th Century by a move by the congregation to another new building in what is still called Meeting House Street, in the town centre. The Congregation of Scots and English settlers had an interesting disregard of the doctrinal details. In Donaghadee and Bangor Parishes at that time, Presbyterian clerics served as rectors.When this confusing practice ended , the non-conformists built their own church at the south end of Meetinghouse Street. After a split with other Presbyterian ( who built in Shore Street) , the meeting house (above) , in High Street, was built in 1824 at a cost of £815 which was defrayed by subscription. The old meeting house was desbribed in 1824 as being in a ruinous condition. It's of the usual ornamental construction. It is capable of holding 500 people.The minister in 1846 was Rev. James McAuley. There was a National School adjacent in 1863. The minister 1883- 1899 was Rev. Dr. Megaw then in 1910 was Rev. S. Walker.

North of Ireland FHS (www.nifs.org) has baptisms 1793-1921 & marriages 1805- 1936 & communicants 1879-1916 ; no graveyard
http://www.presbyterianireland.org/congregations/donaghadee1.html
http://www.emeraldancestors.com have a copy of the church booklet of 1925 with a church history on subscription

2nd Presbyterian Church,
at the northern extremity of Donaghadee town in Warren Road/ Shore Street, on the sea shore

This Meeting House was built in 1822 after a split with the other Presbyterian churches in town . It cost £600 which was paid by subscription. It measured 60 feet by 50 feet and held 450 people in 1837. A Sabbath School was held here in 1826. The minister in 1824, 1846 & 1852 was Rev William Skelly & 1876-1893, Rev. William Weir Hamilton. In 1899 & 1910 it was Rev. Robert Andrews. There was a National School & sexton's house adjacent in 1866.

Article from Newtownards Independent newspaper;
a short history of Donaghadee Presbyterians 4 Jan 1873

Article from Down Recorder newspaper;
article 31 Jul 1852; presentation to Rev J.S. McAuley

North of Ireland FHS (www.nifs.org) has baptisms 1849-1921 & marriages 1850-1921; no graveyard; try http://shorestreet.org.uk/

Methodist Church
in Mount St., Donaghadee town across from Church of Ireland

A local tradition claims that the Methodists, converted by John Wesley on some of his many recorded visits to Donaghadee, constructed their place of worship on the site of his open air pulpit near the Parish Church. In 1836 this church was described as neat inside and capable of holding 300 people .The minister in 1843 was Rev. James Tobias and in 1863 Rev. Robert Hazleton. There was a National School adjacent in 1863. The minister in 1910 was Rev. J.W. Carrothers.

North of Ireland FHS (www.nifs.org) has baptisms 1825-1921 & marriages 1839-1921; graveyard separate; gravestones UHF Vol 17

Millisle village
3km S of Donaghadee town; on the coast

This postcard of Millisle c. 1938 was kindly sent to me by Tom Courtney.

Millisle means 'town of the mill'. It's a village in the townlands of Ballymacruise & Ballycopeland . In 1837 there was contains a pond, a Presbyterian meeting house, and a school. There were 67 one-storey houses & 7 two-storey houses with about half with slate roofs, a corn mill & stores, 7 grocers & spirit sellers, 1 cooper, and 1 smithie. Most houses belonged to fishermen who held small farms as well.

Newspaper article from northern Herald;
anti tithe meeting 30 Nov 1833 )

Newspaper article from Down Recorder;
David Carmichael Esq.- Lecture on a trip to America 9 Jul 1881

Newspaper articles from Newtownards Chronicle;
horse races 27 Jan 1877 & 31 Dec 1881 ; Tenant Farmers' Defence Assoc 17 Jun 1882 ; melancholy result of a quarrel 8 Oct 1887; fire at Spion Kop 15 dec 1900

Millisle Seceeders Presbyterian Church
in the village in Ballycopeland townland

The congregation was organised in 1773 in the Anti-Burgher Secession Synod & reunited in 1906. The minister 1823-1832 was Rev. Isaiah Steen. It was described in 1836 as a small building of insignificant appearance , measuring 50 feet by 27 feet and holding 100 people

North of Ireland FHS (www.nifhs.org) has baptisms1773 -1930 & marriages 1838 -1936; graveyard attached; gravestone inscriptions available UHF Vol 15, oldest stone 1847; email me for a gravestone look-up; also try http://www.bangor.homecall.co.uk/index.htm

Carrowdore Presbyterian Church
on a small road near the castle in Ballyrawer townland

This meeting house was built in 1843 by Lord John George Beresford, uncle of Mrs. George Dunbar of Woburn, on land given by Nicholas Crommelan of Carrowdore Castle. There was an earlier church here since 1828.

article from Newtownards Chronicle newspaper;
installation of Rev. R. Hastings Smythe 28 Jun 1879

Baptisms from 1873, marriages from 1846 & burials from 1875; North of Ireland FHS (www.nifs.org) has baptisms 1861-1940 & marriages 1845-1936; gravestones UHF Vol 14; photo in Vol 14; email me for a gravestone look-up

www.carrowdore-ballyfrenis.org