THE SCOT IN ULSTER

« previous page | book contents | start of this chapter | next page »

quantity imported in English and Irish bottoms." [1] Another proof is found in the fact that the country-people were in the habit of crossing from Stranraer to Donaghadee, attending Newtown market, selling their wares, and crossing to Scotland again the same night. [2] Some years afterwards, too, when Strafford's tyranny had driven many favourite ministers out of Ulster, the northern Presbyterians were accustomed to cross over to the Ayrshire and Galloway churches. "On one occasion, five hundred persons, principally from the county of Down, visited Stranraer to receive the Communion from the hands of Mr Livingston." [3] The most exact account of the emigration is contained in a very curious book of travels in Scotland and Ireland, by Sir William Brereton, a Cheshire man, well known afterwards in the Civil War. He states that he came to Irvine, in Ayrshire, on the 1st July 1635, and was hospitably entertained by Mr James Blair, and that his host informed him that "above ten thousand persons have within two years last past left this country wherein they lived, which was betwixt Aberdine and Enuerness, and are gone for Ireland; they have come by one hundred in company through this town, and three hundred have gone hence together shipped for Ireland at one tide. None of them can give a reason why they leave the country; only some of them who make a better use of God's hand upon them have acknowledged to...continue reading »

[1] Calendar of State Papers, Ireland, 1615-26, p. 139.

[2] Montgomery MSS., p. 60.

[3] Reid, vol. i. p. 226.

« previous page | book contents | start of this chapter | next page »

Page 60

The Scot in Ulster:
Sketch of the History of the Scottish Population of Ulster

by John Harrison

1888