It is reputed that the Erskines came over to County Antrim from Scotland in 1602,probably dispossessed by a landlord who was making his farm larger, moving to the townland called Leitrim. The farm was rendered vacant in 1651 after the uprising of the native Irish when a Scottish regiment came through the lowland parts of County Antrim and forced the native Irish to go west.
My family came to Dunaverney to approximately 100 acres. Dunaverney is a town land 5 miles east of Ballymoney along, what is now known as, the Kirk Road. Over the years, the farm became divided up into 3 or 4 farms.
The earliest source should have been the Hearth Poll Tax register of 1660 to 1669. No Erskines appeared which means they either had no Hearth (unlikely), were poll tax evaders, or most likely the soldier doing the register couldn’t be bothered registering the houses in Dunaverney, as was common in up to 30% of the houses in some areas. The first source I found was the presence of an William Askin (as it was commonly spelt) in the 1740 Hearth Poll register for the Ballymoney Area, although another source stated Aron [or Adam] Then in the 1766 Religious Census of the Ballymoney area, three Erskine families were mentioned: two William Erskins and a James Erskine. The first William Erskin was the father of Alexander, who married Elizabeth Blair in 1767, William who married Mary Blair and was living in Ballymoney in 1766,1785 and 1803, Margaret (bapt 1751) and possibly James. In the 1796 Flax Grower’s Register, Elizabeth Erskine (possibly the wife of Alexander) had one wheel of flax.
In the1803 agricultural census, William Erskine was in one house and Widow and Alexander Erskine were in another. I found a burial registered in the Parish Church records of a James Erskine on the 5th June, 1808, aged 81. Presbyterian and Church of Ireland deaths were registered and buried together in the Ballymoney Old Church Graveyard.
Would your family history in County Antrim provide any evidence of Erskines who emigrated to Pennsylvania, say, in the early 1700s? The name Askey (Ereskin, Askin, Askins, Arsekin variously spelt up until the 1840s) and its bearer Thomas anecdotally came to America, but it’s impossible to verify that from any credible source here. Any ideas? Thanks
By: Donald Askey on March 14, 2009
at 11:19 pm
Sorry, I haven’t come across any Thomas Erskines in my family and yes the spelling was varied.
The story in the family is that 3 Erskine brothers came to N.Ireland, 2 settling in Co. Down and one in Co. Antrim.
However there is another Erskine branch near Antrim – I have in touch for years but I could try and make contact if you are interested.
Dorothy
By: Dorothy Arthur on March 16, 2009
at 10:57 pm
Dorothy,
Ha Ha… I was going to ask the very same question that Donald posed. Thomas Erskine (Askey, Askay) appears to have come to America in the early/mid 1700. He is purported to have been born on 25 July 1727 in Country Antrim. It is family tradition that the Erskines moved to Antrim from Scotland. It would be quite interesting if the other Erskine branch could be the one I have been looking for to tie my husband’s American ancestry to the one across the pond.
Thank you!
By: Carolyn Engstrom on May 3, 2009
at 3:13 am
James Erskine also known as Askin lived Magheramorne near Larne until his death 1885. He was married to Agnes Macready and had 1. Robert Erskine [d 1892]who married Margaret Blair and had James and Robert who migrated to Victoria, B.C. Canada.
2. William to New York[d 1901], 3.Thomas to Australia.[d 1917]
By: Dell bond on July 5, 2009
at 4:50 am
Try small town histories. Also, google James Erskine of Lowellville and Mahoning County. This is my great grandfather. There are two printings of this title, the second of three volumes has photographs. The first printing has text and photographs. None of the Erskines. Arthur Erskine from Pennsylvania married James Erskine’s daughter. They were first cousings. Dr. Arthur Erskine pioneered women’s cancer treatment. His wife is still alive, as far as I know. James had two marriages, many children. My grandfather is one of five, I think. The first wife died, and my great aunt met one of the first set of daughters, at a Gaelic Dance. They live in Baltimore, MD.
By: Jane C. Erskine on July 15, 2009
at 5:47 pm
Thank you for the information about your book.
I have ordered a copy and hopefully it will contain information about the Pattison and Young family.
My only information comes from the marriage of James Young Pattison in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1875.
It indicates he was born on Townhead St. Ballymoney, Ireland. His parents were John Pattison and Flora Young.
If any of your additional research on Ballymoney might add some “clues” on this family it would be a wonderful bonus.
Michael Ball
mdball@sympatico.ca
By: Michael Ball on August 26, 2009
at 3:33 am
Hi Dorothy,
My family came out of Ballymoney – the Henry’s, Boyd’s, & Wallace’s. I see there names in your gravestone list. I would like a copy of your book but I see it is sold out. Can I still get a copy?Thanks so much
Wanda
By: Wanda Wallace on February 23, 2010
at 10:57 pm
Hi Again, Dorothy
Also related to the Millar’s and McLaughlin’s.
email me at: wanda-wallace@hotmail.com
Thanks so much
Wanda
By: Wanda Wallace on February 23, 2010
at 11:01 pm
Hi Wanda
,The book is definitely not sold out. You should be able to buy a copy through this site. If there is a problem please contact me again.
When yo order a copy I am happy to help you with your family name queries – these are al very common names around the area.
Dorothy
By: Dorothy Athur on February 24, 2010
at 9:23 am