Jenny Boyd, Rashu near Ballyclavin

[Peggy13]

I obtained the will of Samuel Carson who died Aug 1810 in Oxford, England.  In his will, he mentioned his sister Jenny Boyd, who was residing at that time in Rashu??, near Ballyclavin, County of Antrim. There was another sister Isabella George, married to Thomas George, with son John George, in Ballyhill, parish of Killead, County Antrim in 1810.
Can anyone find this family with siblings Samuel, Jenny and Isabella Carson? Samuel died at age 72 so born 1738.  Samuel married Mary someone and moved to Oxford, England about 1780, Jenny married a Boyd, and Isabella married Thomas George. Jenny had a son Samuel Carson Boyd, probably born about 1780-1790. He inherited the wine and brandy merchant business of his uncle Samuel Carson upon Samuel's death in 1810 but believe that he was in Oxford before that.
I really need some help with this family and would appreciate any pointers.
thank you
Peggy

[Elwyn Soutter]

There’s this family in Ballyhill Lower townland in the 1851 census:

Ballyhill Lower (all born Antrim)
James George, head, 64, farmer
wife Sarah George, 62
son James George, unmarried, 24J, labourer
servant Elizabeth Cooke, unmarried, 27, house servant
servant James Higgins, unmarried, 32, labourer

Griffiths Valuation for 1862 records that James George held a farm, offices (outbuildings) and 49 acres of land in Ballyhill Lower. (Plot 1). That’s on the modern Long Rig Road, near Nutts Corner, not far from Belfast International Airport.

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=nameSearch

[aghadowey]

There's a long thread on Samuel Carson Boyd here-
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,605692.0.html

[Peggy13]

Hi Elwyn,
Not sure if I said thank you for this George information so am saying it now. I think it will be the same family that I am researching. Thanks for your help
Peggy

[Peggy13]

Hi,
I have an update for the marriage of Jenny Boyd. Her maiden name was Carson and she married Samuel Boyd.  The marriage was likely between 1775-1785. Jenny sounds like it might be short for something else such as Jane or Jean. Besides a son Samuel Carson Boyd, the couple had a daughter who married John Lawson of Kilbride. I don't know the daughter's first name.
Thanks for any help.
Peggy

[PRich]

Hi Peggy,

The placename mentioned in the will is very probably 'Rashee' near 'Ballyclare'?

[Peggy13]

Hi PRich,
When I look closely at the will, it could well be Rashee near Ballyclare. Thank you so much.  I thought it was Ballyclavin, all one word, but now I see it really does look more like "Ballyclare in" the county of Antrim. I was unsure of Jenny's name as well, due to handwriting, could be Jenorey or Jenovey, more likely Jenorey. So Jenorey Boyd, in the parish of Rashee, near Ballyclare in the County of Antrim. I hope that helps someone help me. Jenorey had a sister Isabella George, wife of Thomas George of Ballyhill in the parish of Killead and county of Antrim in 1810.  Isabella George nee Carson had as her oldest son John George also mentioned in the will of Samuel Carson. So three Carson siblings - Samuel, Isabella and Jenorey/Jenny. On the cover of the will, handwriting looks like it might even be W. Samuel Carson. Jenorey had a son Samuel Carson Boyd, born abt 1780, and a daughter who became Mrs. John Lawson of Kilbride. Samuel Carson Boyd, son, inherited Samuel Carson's wine and brandy business in Oxford, England and that is where my g grandmother Susan E. Boyd was born on Oct 14, 1808.
Other persons mentioned were John Pakman/Paleman of Ballydonoughy in the parish of Killead, Mary Matchett of the same place, Samuel Hyde of Belfast and Hugh Ensworth of Carmaney in the Parish of Killead.
thanks again
Peggy

[PRich]

Hi Peggy,

This is getting VERY interesting!  Are you aware of the name William Fee McKinney of Sentry Hill, Carnmoney parish, Co. Antrim?  If not, I suggest you try and get a copy of the fantastic book about him and his life and family called 'Sentry Hill: An Ulster Farm and Family' by Brian Walker as William F. McKinney was a cousin of your ancestors! 

Your mention of the surname 'George' triggered my memory and I checked through my copy of Sentry Hill and found that William F. McKinney's grandmother had been Elizabeth George, born about 1777 in Carnmoney parish to Thomas George and Isabella Carson: clearly Thomas and Isabella George are the exact same couple mentioned in your ancestor's will. 

William F. McKinney was born in the 1830s and was a keen genealogist and avid writer who kept copious notes on his own family's history and that of other local families - I'm certain his collection will have further detailed notes on your George and Carson families.  His former home at Sentry Hill is now a museum run by Newtownabbey Borough Council so, if you ever visit Northern Ireland, you will be able to wander around his home.  You would need to do a bit of digging to find out where McKinney's original notebooks are held - I'm guessing at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland or within Sentry Hill itself. 

[aghadowey]

Quite a few records from Carnmoney Presbyterian Church are here on Rootschat- see ANTRIM RESOURCES at top of Antrim board un Church Records:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,521542.0.html