The Smiths of Ardstraw - early history - to late 18th Century

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Smyth Irish origins are obscure. Some family historians talk of the first Smyth immigrants as living in Pettigo,

Others suggest that they might have been original tenants of Sir Edward Blennerhassett, of Norfolk a leading undertaker in the Plantation of Ulster who acquired lands in Co. Fermanagh in 1610 and called his residence Castle Hassett.

Bannaghmore

At the time of the Plantation of Ulster there was obviously a settlement of importance at Bannagh or at least an indication of its ancient importance when the entire land grant given to Sir Edward Blennerhassett of Norfolk in 1610 was titled as "Bannaghmore." This huge estate ran about twelve miles all the way to present day Belleek but yet took its name from Bannagh suggesting the ancient importance of this locality
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From "Dundas".... p.197: Ennniskillen, the town, was planted in1612.
....p. 209: ffrancis Blennerhassett, Esq., undertaker of 1000 acres (in the plantation scheme), called "Bannaghmore"

In the Muster Rolls of 1630 there are several Smyths/Smiths connected to Blennerhassett estates:-

James Lord Ballfoure, Barron of Clannally, Undertaker of 5,000 acres [Castlebalfour estate]
the names of his men and armes as ffolloweth  (no armes ­ 93 Thomas Smyth)

Sir Gerrard Lowther, Kt. Barony de Lourgg., undertaker of 2,000 acres - (Sword and musket - 3 John Smith)

Sir John Hume, Knight Barony de Magherboy., undertaker of 3,500 acres,
the names of his men and armes as followeth ( Pike only - 6 Thomas Smyth, elder ) (no armes: 46 - John Smyth)

ffrancis Blennerhassett, Esq Barony de Lourgg. Bannaghmore, undertaker of 1,000 acres (...no known Smiths)

In the divisions of Ireland, the Barony of Lurg has a parish of Drumkeeran - Drumkeeran contains both Pettigo Town and the townland of Bannaghmore.

These ancestors came to Ireland from Scotland. There were 6 brothers - all very tall and all cattle dealers They were strapping men, moving together through Fairs and Markets and terrorising any who interfered with them.

They were of the Covenanting Party and family stories relate that they rowed to Scotland each month for church services although this seems unlikely  - unless they made a stop on the coast.

Border Reivers changed their name to Smith to avoid detection so it would be impossible to trace my Scottish roots.

Smiths are mentioned in the Abercorn papers from 1744

 02.10.1744  Nathaniel Nisbitt of Lifford   .  . .  Earl of Abercorn. 

   . . . list of 20 tenants in Parish of Ardstraw who say they set out their tyth according to your Lordship's directions by now they are threatened to be put into the Bishop's Court for substraction.

 "Days of Revival - History of Methodism in Ireland" by C. H. Crookshank

The Smiths were very religious and converted  to the Methodist Church after Rev Mr John Smith from the Augher circuit preached in the area in 1768 He also preached in the open air at Drumquin and at the close of the meeting he enquired if there was anyone who would receive him and give him the opportunity to share the Gospel with them. Mr and Mrs Smith invited him to their home at  Cavandoragh. This invitation led to their conversion and they became members of the little society at Cavandoragh.  

Later in 1792  their two sons, Robert and James, entered itinerancy of the Methodist movement. They were converted by the evangelist John Smith (no relative)  through the auspices of James Smith of Sidaire townland, parish of Magheracross, Co Fermanagh. He might have been a relative.
 (1796 Spinning Wheel Allocation Records in Fermanagh included Hugh and Robert Smyth)
 (Burial  in 1798 at Sydare Methodist Cemetery  Co Fermanagh - William Smith of Magheracross)

1796 Spinning Wheel Allocation Records in Ardstraw Tyrone included Matthew and John Smyth)
 

Obituary to Rev James Smith
Rev Mr James Smith  1769-1830, entered the ministry 1792. In early life he was converted to God by means of the Methodist Ministry. In 1792 he was called to travel in our Connection; and laboured with diligence and fidelity. In 1820, through declining health, he became a Supernumerary, and settled in Strabane. His last illness, which was severe, arising in the first instance from paralysis, and ending in apoplexy, deeply depressed his spirits; yet he retained his peace of  mind, and hope in God. He died November 17th 1830. His death was reported at the Wesleyan Conference 

Rev Robert Smith was born 1764, entered the ministry in 1792. He died on 30/11/1826 His Church History

I am grateful to John Rylands University Library of Manchester - Methodist Archives And Research Centre - for the obituaries 
See also other family Methodist Minister Obituaries

My 18th C Methodist Revival pages also show Smith involvement.  

20.5.1781  James Hamilton, Strabane . . . Earl of Abercorn.

John Smyth [Cavandarragh 84:] will now only purchase a third of Givan's farm. . . WilIiam son to Robert Caldwell of the said town Cavandarragh took in 1777 a holding joining John Caldwell's in what is called the mountain part, for which he pays £2.5.0, he wants a third of Givan's which joins it and would bring his rent to £4.8.4. At present Caldwell lives in the low town, but says if he got this he would build and live there, which he could not do on his present holding.
Then if James Kerr got the remaining third his rent instead of 18/- that he now pays would be £2.3.4. They were all with me yesterday.

1796 Spinning Wheel Allocation Records Ardstraw Parish showed the following Smiths with nos of wheels :-
John 4   John 2   Robert 2   William1  Matthew 1 and Walter 1

 In the Index to Tithe Applotment Books, 1834
Robert Smyth was in townland of Cavandoragh and another Robert was in the townland of Glenglush

 31/01/1835  Abercorn Estate- Ardstraw Leases.

Index to Griffith's Valuation of Ireland, 1848-1864
Robert Smyth, Sr. was in the townland of Glenglush
Robert Smith, Jr. was in the townland of Glenglush

From PRONI "The Abercorn Papers" there is the following record of how the Land Acts affected the Baronscourt Estate tenants:- 
The Famine marked a watershed in estate policy for the Abercorn estate As leases fell in many townlands, especially in the churchlands and in Derrygoon, were planted with timber, and there is a report on the condition of the plantations in 1886 Sales of timber processed in the estate saw mill are recorded from 1900 to 1964 The development of the home farm predated the Famine, but the surviving herdbooks and registers of pedigree stock date only from the 1890s, with detailed reports and valuations of crops and stock for the early 1920s Other post Famine developments, notably the Land Acts of 18701903, are reflected in sets of land purchase account books, 1887; judicial rent books (which distinguish between rents arranged in court and those arranged out of court), 1898; and volumes recording renewals of leases from 1775 to 1925, and tenant right sales, c1880 As landlordism receded, the emphasis of estate management shifted to direct farming This shift is documented in the already mentioned demesne and home farm accounts

1885  Abercorn Estate Ardstraw - Sales under Land Purchase Act page 10

The next page has detail of my Smith family including a Family Tree link