Johne McReynolds/MacRanald: Scots Mercenary

[BoldHighlander]

There definitely were Highland Scots in the "settlement" of Ulster, but they were largely west Highland folk who had traditionally been passing back and forth between their part of Scotland and the northern part of Ireland and decided to take up James' offer of the lands of the locals. In the Williamite period of the 1690s, the second planatation wave, most of the new people were Presbyterian Lowland and Border Scots.

That makes me wonder whether your ancestor, Terry, might have been an educated officer serving in Ulster and deciding to stay on, rather than an incoming settler? Do you know why he was in Ireland? And whether he married an Ulster woman? And did she bring land into the marriage, or did he acquire that himself? The key, I think, is the fact that he was an educated man. Most settlers in that second wave were common folk without formal education, although many could read and write, of course.

Rex

Hi Rex,

what little other I know about my ancestor is that he was in Ireland fighting for William of Orange, later he left the army & with his two younger brothers settled in Co. Tyrone. Johne first married a Mary Preston in 1703, she died in 1713, after which on the 18th of June 1714 he married Elizabeth Shepherd (born about 1675 in Co. Tyrone). Other than knowing her father's name (Solomon Shepherd) I do not know much about her other than she must have been a Quaker, for Johne became a Quaker to marry her. However, by all accounts his conversion did not take (he left the Quakers & went back to the Church of Ireland.).

I know Johne had property (one version said he "obtained the lands", though how I do not know), built a two story stone house & mill in Cloghog, and a mill & stone out buildings in Killyman, the mills are mentioned as linen mills. I believe its the stone house that been described as resembling a Scottish type blockhouse fort.

Elizabeth & Johne seperated (she & their children emigrated to the American colonies in 1738). Johne stayed behind & died in 1760 in Stewartstown, Co. Tyrone.

Some researchers have regarded Johne as a Scottish mercenary. They say he was not a commoner, & it is also said he could speak 'Scots' better than English.

I would tend to agree with you Rex, that Johne was an educated officer who decided to stay on in Ulster.

More to follow....