Looking for Winchester family in Co Down

[Heather01]

My gg grandparents James and Sarah Ann (née Hamilton) Winchester immigrated to New Zealand in 1874. James's parents were John and Mary (née Rice) Winchester. John Winchesters father was also a James d.1833. I would be grateful for anymore information on this family. Shanes Hill has been mentioned in the family folklore (something about fairies) and also New Mills church.

Many thanks
Heather01

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   James Winchester married Sarah Ann Hamilton on 17 Jun 1861 in Lurgan Civil Registrars Office, Shankill, Lurgan, Co. Armagh. The Griffiths Valuation (1864 for Armagh and Down) only lists two Winchesters holding property in the county Armagh and one in Co Down
James held a house in the townland of Fernagreevagh, Parish of Loughgall (This is near Armagh)
John Held a house in Knocknamuckly, Parish Of Seagoe near Lurgan.
John held a house and two acres of Land in the townland of Ballydugan, Parish of Tullylish Near Lurgan, Co. Down
Regards

[KatC]

Winchester is an old name at Newmills Presbyterian Church.  A James Winchester was appointed Member of the session in 1797, i.e. one of the first elders;and one of the oldest 3 gravestones was said to be  for a Winchester, though I did not find it.  I am looking for Sarah Winchester born before 1800 and married to William McCleary with dau Charlotte. 

 A John was a weaver in Ballydougan and had son Christopher who married Jane Pollock.  One of their children was named Hamilton.  They sound related and were in Ballydougan. Shane Hill has been mentioned by others, not about fairies, and is probably in Ballydougan.  Need help on that.

James and Sarah had son James b Oct 1871 in Ballygargin.  Can't find the baptism record and don't know what church they used.  Sarah jane's father was Samuel.  A Samuel and Judith lived in Ballydougan and had children at the right time, but I am not seeing Sarah Jane's baptism.  She probably had sister Esther who married Robert Harrison and Mary who married Joseph Livingston at Knocknamuckley.  There may be another Samuel of Ballydougan who married Rebecca, but it is quite possible that somehow the Knocknamuckley  records are wrong and this  Samuel was really Lewis who, indeed, married a Rebecca. 

I think the Rices were at Knocknamuckley Church of Ireland and Rootschat has messages from some families. 

[Heather01]

Thanks so much for your replys. Gives me something to work on. Yes Sarah Anns parents were Judith (née McNeil) and Samuel Hamilton however I cannot find any record of them. I know Sarah Ann had a brother Henry as he also came to New Zealand.
Is there any site for history of New Mills Church. I have tried the rosdavies Tullylish all site but cannot access the history site recommended there.
Thanks again

[KatC]

This is from the Knocknamuckley records and you can see the errors possibly due to penmanship. L and S are look very much the same and the church used wide pen nibs frequently when recording baptisms.  You do the best you can guessing at up and down strokes.

1843   3 September  Mary Jane to   John& Eleanor Hamilton Moyraferty            
1846   15 July   Henry to   John   & Judith   Hamilton   B,Dougan      
1848   6March  Samuel to Lewis &   Rebecca   Hamilton   B,Dougan            
1852   19September Mary to Samuel & Judith Hamilton Ballydougan               
1838   7october   Louis   to Samuel   Rebecca   Hamilton   Ballydougan         
1849   1October   Rebecca   to William   Sarah   Hamilton   Ballynagarrick            
1843   24   December   to   David   William   Sarah   Hamilton or Houston   B,Nagarrick


There is a site    "Griffiths family from rayleane" or something like that which mentions Lewis Hamilton renting in Corcreany and Clare, Co Down.  It mentions children born before Knocknamuckley's beginnings as Lewis and Rebecca Harrison were married in 1823 , so whoever collected the information might know what church to look for.   Their Samuel is too young.  Lewis b abt 1820 was unmarried in 1857's knocknamuckley census and is buried at Tullylish Graveyard.  The Down graveyard series lists children with him.  There is no mention of Samuel.  McNeills are in Ballydougan.  You might Google the site and see if the owner can help with your Hamiltons.

[Heather01]

Thank you KatC for your message, it is the high point on an otherwise shaky morning (more earthquakes hit ChCh NZ) but still have the power on so I can let you know how grateful I am for your information.

The Mary born to Samuel and Judith Hamilton in 1852 is probably Sarah Anns younger sister so that's exciting news

Will follow up on the site you suggest
Once again many thanks
Happy New Year

[PSW28]

Winchester is an old name at Newmills Presbyterian Church.  A James Winchester was appointed Member of the session in 1797, i.e. one of the first elders;and one of the oldest 3 gravestones was said to be  for a Winchester, though I did not find it.  I am looking for Sarah Winchester born before 1800 and married to William McCleary with dau Charlotte. 

 A John was a weaver in Ballydougan and had son Christopher who married Jane Pollock.  One of their children was named Hamilton.  They sound related and were in Ballydougan. Shane Hill has been mentioned by others, not about fairies, and is probably in Ballydougan.  Need help on that.

James and Sarah had son James b Oct 1871 in Ballygargin.  Can't find the baptism record and don't know what church they used.  Sarah jane's father was Samuel.  A Samuel and Judith lived in Ballydougan and had children at the right time, but I am not seeing Sarah Jane's baptism.  She probably had sister Esther who married Robert Harrison and Mary who married Joseph Livingston at Knocknamuckley.  There may be another Samuel of Ballydougan who married Rebecca, but it is quite possible that somehow the Knocknamuckley  records are wrong and this  Samuel was really Lewis who, indeed, married a Rebecca. 

I think the Rices were at Knocknamuckley Church of Ireland and Rootschat has messages from some families.

I can clear up "Shane's Hill". We call it Shane's Hill rock. It is the highest point in Ballydougan townland. It is currently a reservoir. It was also a place for public meetings in the 1800's.