Harper family - Antrim

[Doublebassy]

This is an old post, so maybe you have already found this out but the father of this family appears as Andrew Harper (not James) in all the records. He lived 1806-1895 and for many years was Janitor of Shane’s Castle in Randalstown. After his death, his two unmarried daughters Annie and Martha continued as Gatekeepers of the castle. Jane McCulloch Harper died in 1885. She was almost certainly the sister of John MacCulloch (1812-1876) who was a Forester at the castle and possibly of Grace McCulloch of Randalstown who married Joseph Bell in 1844.

[Kiltaglassan]

.......Andrew Harper (not James) in all the records. He lived 1806-1895 and for many years was Janitor of Shane’s Castle in Randalstown.

He died on 11th March 1895 at Ballygrooby, Drummaul, aged 88 years (so born c1807). His daughter Martha was the informant.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1895/05944/4688521.pdf
https://www.townlands.ie/antrim/toome-upper/drummaul/ballygrooby/

KG

[Kiltaglassan]

......his two unmarried daughters Annie and Martha continued as Gatekeepers of the castle.

1901 census
Residents of a house 14 in Shanes Castle Park (Randalstown, Antrim)
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Randalstown/Shanes_Castle_Park/919889/
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000257184/

Shane's Castle Park townland
https://www.townlands.ie/antrim/toome-upper/drummaul/shanes-castle-park/

KG

[Doublebassy]

.......Andrew Harper (not James) in all the records. He lived 1806-1895 and for many years was Janitor of Shane’s Castle in Randalstown.

He died on 11th March 1895 at Ballygrooby, Drummaul, aged 88 years (so born c1807).

The OP gave his date of birth as 12 May 1806.

Ballygrooby was owned by the McCulloch gentry until about 1730. The main line had all left Co Antrim by 1800 but I am interested to know whether Jane descended from a side branch or not. The John MacCulloch I identified as her brother married someone from Kirkhill, Inverness-shire so it’s possible they were related to the McCullochs who lived there.

https://chriswestancestryblog.wordpress.com/2020/10/14/the-mccullochs-in-ireland/

[Kiltaglassan]

The OP gave his date of birth as 12 May 1806.

But didn't link any evidence to prove that this was his correct date of birth.

[Agnetta]

Huntermh - I know yhis is quite some time ago and you've probably made progress since then (2015) but I haven't perused Rootschat for a long time. I'm researching Harpers too.My lot ended up in Dungiven, Co Derry but they started off in Carnmoney,Co Antrim in 1700's Big families 10 or 12 children. My earliest is John Harper bc 1742 who married Isabella Jamison in 1767 in Carnmoney (which is currently a suburb of Belfast but would have been a village in those days)John and Isabella had 10 children. Just wanted to let you know about a possible area to search in.

[RubenBlair]

Hi all,

I am trying to find a link connecting an Elizabeth Harper to my 3rd great-grandfather Samuel Russell Blair. In the Church Census collection of Templepatrick Presbyterian Church (ca. 1831-1835) she is listed within the household of Samuel Russell Blair and Margaret Moore as Elizabeth Harper "mother". However I haven't been able to find a birth year (probably around 1805-1810) and place or parents of Samuel Russell or Margaret. Therefore I don't know if Elizabeth Harper is the mother of Samuel or Margaret. I'm beginning to suspect that there is a connection to the Blair and Harper families in Carnmoney. Do you know if there is an Elizabeth Harper within your Harper family trees in Carnmoney (or Templepatrick/Ballyrobert - most likely born late 1700s) married to a Blair?

Best regards,
Ruben