Notes |
- David Irvine was born in 1646 at Drum Castle near Aberdeen, Scotland. He was a son of Robert Irvine(1620-1645) of Drum and Elizabeth Wylie. He, like several other young Irvine men, left Scotland just ahead of the Covenenters. He married Sophia Gault about 1663 in Glencoe, County Ulster, Northern Ireland, and eventually, with the backing of the Irvine family in Scotland, operated a linen mill near Larne, County Antrim. They had five children:
1. James Irvine, born 1666
2. John Irvine, born 1669
3. Robert Irvine, born 1670
4. Matthew Irvine/Irwin, born 1678
5. Jannett Irvine, born 1684
The English held most of the population of Ireland under severe penal restrictions as a result of several Test Acts enacted in the late 1600's by James I and Charles II of England. These edicts specified that all marriages and funerals were required to use the Church of England rituals and ceremonies. All non-Episcopalians were barred from serving in the army or navy, as well as from all other forms of public employment.
Catholics were restricted even further, particularly in the ownership of land. While these restrictions were aimed primarily at religious activities, there were others of an economic nature which left Ireland virtually on its knees.
Most Scottish expatriates in Ireland at this time were Presbyterian, while the native Irish were predominantly Catholic. Many eventually took the Oath of Supremacy, probably with their fingers crossed behind their backs, in order to survive economically and provide for their families.
Nevertheless, people began to look elsewhere for freedom and opportunity. David Irvine was born in 1646 at Drum Castle near Aberdeen, Scotland. He was a son of Robert Irvine (1620-1645) of Drum and Elizabeth Wylie. He, like several other young Irvine men, left Scotland just ahead of the Covenenters. He married Sophia Gault about 1663 in Glencoe, County Ulster, Northern Ireland, and eventually, with the backing of the Irvine family in Scotland, operated a linen mill near Larne, County Antrim. They had five children.
One of those five was James Irwin who married Margaret Wylie and is buried in the historic Raloo Churchyard Antrim. Their son Archibald Irwin was born in Glencoe County Antrim and died in Mercersburg PA January 23, 1798. Archibald's son, also named Archibald, married Jean McDowell and their son William Irwin is father to John Irwin and grandfather to Joseph Combs Irwin.
This is the story of Robert Irvine, father of David, grandfather of our James Irwin and great-grandfather of our Archibald Irwin.
|