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A Brief Family History
The first full history of the Kirkpatrick family was compiled by Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, a well respected historian of the late 18th century. He translated ancient land charters, manuscripts and monastic records, this taking him numerous years of hard work and devotion. This work was revaluated in 1953 by Major General Charles Kirkpatrick CB CBE (aide de camp George v).He had access to family documents which were not available to Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe,therefore he was able to make a further contribution to the story. In the 1990's this work was expanded further still by Steaphan G Kirkpatrick.Steaphen's work may be viewed at: http://www.kirkpatrickweb.co.uk/kirkpatrickstory.html
The Kirkpatrick family is descended from one of the many warrior tribes of Scotland who had originally emigrated from ancient Northern Ireland,and converted to Christianity during the time St Patrick was in South West Scotland in the 5th century.They had settled in a area later known as Cella Patricii and later still as Kil Patrick, in the Closeburn area in Dumfrieshire.In the 9th century they were retained by the crown to defend the area against the Vikings,who had begun to settle in the area and take up farming ,and the Kirkpatrick family was eventually granted ownership of the lands, possibly as a means of ensuring their loyalty.
After the Jacobite rebellion, they left Scotland ,resettling in the Giants Causeway (Coleraine) area of North Antrim ,Northern Ireland in the late 1600's,early 1700's and later ,emigrated throughout the world,with members of the family settling in New South Wales ,Australia in 1881, and Victoria,Australia, in 1910.Family members are now found throughout Australia.
 The Family Motto
The origin of “I mak siccar” forms a direct link with one of the most decisive events in Scotland’s history. The defeat of Wallace by Edward 1 at Falkirk in 1298 was reputed to be due to the defection of the forces of John Comyn, Earl of Badenoch, to the English. After the capture and execution of Wallace in 1304, Comyn had ambitions of becoming King of Scotland himself. It was at the Monastery in Dumfries that Robert the Bruce, a strong supporter of Wallace, and Comyn came face to face. They quarrelled. Comyn was stabbed by Bruce. Rushing out to his escorts Bruce told them, “I doubt I have slain Comyn.” Roger Kirkpatrick, replying “I mak siccar” (I’ll make certain) ran into the building and finding Comyn wounded but alive, stabbed him to the heart. Robert the Bruce was crowned King of Scotland in 1306. A bronze plaque in Dumfries, marks the spot where Comyn was killed.
The Australian Kirkpatrick's Family History
John Kirkpatrick and Jane Wallace.
John Kirkpatrick of Ballynagashel House,Loughguile,via Ballymoney, was born in 1768 ,Jane Wallace of Broughanore ,County Antrim, in 1778. Continuing the historically close family ties ,they married in approximately 1801 and raised ten children.
Thomas,the eldest son never married. John*,their second son ,married Margaret Ann (Peggy)Leitch Samuel ,their third son,married after arrival in America but records indicate there were no children. James,the youngest son married Ellen Glenn Moore of Preistland.(James and Ellen's youngest son,John,married Jessie Smail Lang of Edinburgh,Scotland,emigrating to Victoria,Australia)
Their six daughters all married. Jane married John Moore of Ballycraigagh. Anne married Thomas Gardiner of Elginy, Broughshane. Mary married Robert Pinkerton of Dunaverny. Nancy married John Brown of Ballinaloob. Margaret married Rev William McAfee of North Antrim ,emigrating to Cloverport,Kentucky ,USA , and after his death returned to North Antrim with their young daughter Mary and married James Wightman of Stroan. Sarah married James Sinclair of Drunkendault.
Ballynagashel House. Location-Leave Armoy towards Ballymena.Turn right onto the Kilraughts Road and travel for approximately one mile.Ballynagashel House is situated on the right hand side.
 c.1900  2007
John* Kirkpatrick and Margaret Ann(Peggy) Leitch
John and Peggy were married in about 1843 and made their home in Ballinahone.
John,their eldest son ,a minister in the Presbyterian Church,rose to prominence in America and Canada,before retiring to Philadelphia.Widely known as "Big John" ,he never married and died in March 1909. Joseph,the second son ,died at 23 years of age in 1869.He was unmarried. Robert L , the third son ,died at 30 years of age in 1879.He was also unmarried. James** ,the second eldest surviving son,married Catherine Jane McCook on 2nd December 1880 and emigrated to Australia in January 1881(James) and 1882(Catherine and infant daughter Margaret). Samuel,the youngest son,married his 1st cousin Mary Kirkpatrick and resided at Salem Lodge ,Coleraine.Their only child,Annie Mary, died as an infant. Margaret,the youngest ,married John Moore of Priestland.
Salem Lodge . Location: 33 Millburn Rd,Coleraine ,Co Antrim,N.Ireland
 1999
James** Kirkpatrick and Catherine Jane McCook.
Around the time James married Catherine Jane McCook in 1880 ,he sold his merchants shop at 19 Academy St Belfast to a Mr Connolly .Shortly after their marriage ,in January 1881,James left Northern Ireland for Australia ,aboard "The John Elder".Catherine and infant daughter Margaret Ann remained in London.
Catherine's gold wedding band and hand engraved brooch.
On arrival in Sydney ,James secured employment with the Sydney Harbours and Waterways Department as a Stonemason,working on the construction of the "Upper Canal",between the Upper Nepean Catchment and Prospect Resevoir.After settling in and arranging a residence ,he wrote to Catherine requesting she join him.
Catherine,John ,Margaret and James c.1884
Catherine and Margaret arrived in February 1882 aboard the "Lusitania" after departing London on 14th January.Both James and Catherine travelled as unassisted passengers.James would have found his new vocation, working as a stonemason on the Upper Canal section of the Sydney Water Supply System, vastly different from the life he had known as a Merchant in Northern Ireland. (It would have been backbreaking work ,his Death Certificate a testament to this-it states one of the causes of his death being exhaustion. He was only 52 years old).
Stonemasonry on the Upper Canal
At the completion of the system,James was appointed the first Maintenance Overseer.This allowed the family to move into the Water Board Cottage that was to become the family home for many years.He patrolled the Upper Canal,overseeing any repairs or maintenance required.James and Catherine became very involved in their community,James went on to become the first Church Elder and Lay Preacher in the Hoxton Park area,and also the driving force behind the construction of the first Presbyterian Churh in the area. James and Catherine raised eleven children ,all of whom reached their adulthood,and in time nine of the children married ,and raised their own families. |
