THE SCOT SETTLES NORTH DOWN
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in his lot with the Government, and turn loyal subject. He persevered in this course, notwithstanding many trials to his loyalty, and as reward he received a grant. of the northern half of County Antrim, from Larne to Portrush, and the honour of knighthood. He set himself ardently to the improvement of his lands, "letting out to the natives on the coast, and also to the Scottish settlers, such arable portions of his lands as had been depopulated by the war, for terms varying from 21 to 301 years." [1] These leases seem to have been largely taken advantage of by the Scottish settlers, who allowed the natives to keep the "Glynnes" or Glens--that district so much visited now for its splendid coast scenery--and themselves took possession of the rich land along the river Bann, from Lough Neagh to the town of Coleraine near its mouth. So Macdonnel and his property prospered; and in 1620, when King James raised him to the dignity of Earl of Antrim, the patent conferring the honour, after enumerating the faithful services which Macdonnel had rendered to the Crown, specially-mentioned "the fact of his having strenuously exerted himself in settling British subjects on his estates." [2] Thus County Antrim, from north to south, became nearly as Scottish as the portion of County Down north of the Mourne mountains. ...continue reading »
[1] The Macdonnels of Antrim, by the Rev. George Hill, p. 229.
[2] Ibid., p. 231.
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Page 27
The Scot in Ulster:
Sketch of the History of the Scottish Population of Ulster
by John Harrison
1888