Are early Quaker records from Ulster online?

Question

I've been told that Archibald McCool / McCoole (c1685-c1740) appears in multiple Quaker records in both County Antrim and County Derry.  Is there any place I can search for these online?  

If it helps, I have a world subscription to Ancestry.

Answer 1

Hi, Kevin. The Irish Quakers Resource page is here. And, and the general resource page with some additional Irish help is here. That said, researching Irish Quakers is often a test of patience with some records in one place, others somewhere else, and then sometimes finding the odd transcription online that doesn't seem to appear on any particular resource list. Ancestry does have some Irish Quaker records.

Have a look at the linked pages and if those are not pointing you in the right direction, let us know and we'll see what else may be found. 

Comments

Thanks, T.  

I'm the McCool One-Name Study coordinator at WikiTree (and also on FTDNA).  Who is the best person on the Quaker project to help me understand how to best create new McCool Quaker categories on WikiTree - or incorporate McCool research into existing Quaker categories?

Archibald's parents, for example, hosted Quaker meetings in their home in Toberhead Ireland c1700.  Archibald's grandson, Archibald married a non-Quaker (presumably Presbyterian) and was ejected in 1760.  Descendants of Archibald's siblings stayed Quaker for varying lengths of time after emigrating to the US in the early 1700s - including into the 1900s.

Ancestry's collection of US Quaker records contains 881 McCool surname records - https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2189/?name=_McCool&count=50

Feel free to take this offline in an email to me if you prefer.

Thanks,

Kevin

Answer 2

As you will see on the Ireland Quaker team's sources page, the bulk of the Irish Quaker records are online at FindmyPast, although this require a subscription or one off payments.

The Irish Quaker records are generally much more complete than those available on line for Britain or the US, but a few of the relevant books from some of the meetings in the north of Ireland have gone missing.

Given that the profile for McCool-297 already exists, claiming that he was a Quaker without quoting any Irish Quaker sources, I will have a look for you and see what I can find.

Alan Watson, Ireland Quakers team

Comments

Thanks for helping here, Alan. If you need some lookups with FMP on this, let me know.

Answer 3

No entries with surnames like McCool in Irish Quaker BMD registers indexed by FMP survive, although minutes mention the marriage of David Backhouse & Sarah McCoole on 12 Feb 1719. John McCool appears in ‘sufferings’ from 1691 as does Archebald McCoole from 1697. John and Olive McCool both appear in minutes. These are all in County Londonderry between 1691 and 1720. Archibald and Jennett McCool were disowned in 1760 for marrying out and fornication respectively.

Immigration of the Irish Quakers into Pennsylvania shows  Olivia widow of John McCool, Gabriel McCool and his brother James MaCool [sic] migrating from Ulster to Pennsylvania in 1725 and 1729. Also John McCool married Mary Howie (in Pennsylvania?) in 1717.

John McCool was plainly an adult with his own farm by 1691. He died between 1709 and 1729 when his widow Olive migrated. Archeball McCool in the sufferings had his own farm in 1697 and could not have been born in 1685 as McCool-600 is said to have been.

Some of the people mentioned above are clearly on wikitree, others not. Some of the comments on existing profiles are not supported by sources, eg on McCool-297
 'We know from Quaker records that John married twice.’ Having looked at all the Irish Quaker records that I can find, I certainly don’t know this. Which records are referred to?

Will try to add sources in a separate reply.

Alan

 

Comments

Quaker sources

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FIRE%2FQUAKERS%2FQ-1-1-A%2F0060&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FULSTER%2FCON%2F131930 : accessed 12 August 2021), minutes dated 27d 6mo (Aug) 1691, John McCool part of a group nominated to look into a couple proposing to marry.; citing Ulster Quarterly Meeting minutes 1674-1693, archive ref Q.1.1.A, Ulster Friends Trustees Ltd.

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FIRE%2FQUAKERS%2FQ-1-1-A%2F0061&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FULSTER%2FCON%2F131950 : accessed 12 August 2021), minutes dated 5d 8mo (Oct) 1691, John McCool part of a group nominated to look into a couple proposing to marry.; citing Ulster Quarterly Meeting minutes 1674-1693, archive ref Q.1.1.A, Ulster Friends Trustees Ltd.

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Sufferings, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FYMG-1%2F0263&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F1194254 : accessed 13 August 2021), Sufferings in 1691, County of derry. John McCool of the parish of Maghra had taken from him for tithe … ten stooks of oats, rye and barly all worth seven shillings and six pence.; citing YM Sufferings c. 1665-1693, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Sufferings, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FYMG-1%2F0263&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F1194254 : accessed 13 August 2021), Sufferings in 1692, County of derry. John McCool of the said parish [Maghraw] had taken from him for tithe … twelve stooks of oats and one stook and a half of barly all worth five shillings; citing YM Sufferings c. 1665-1693, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FIRE%2FQUAKERS%2FQ-1-1-B%2F0017&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FULSTER%2FCON%2F132636 : accessed 13 August 2021), minutes dated 10d 10mo (Dec) 1696, Various members including John McCoole asked to bring details of their sufferings to John Hoope to be recorded; citing Ulster Quarterly Meeting minutes 1694-1717, Q.1.1.B, Ulster Friends Trustees Ltd.

 

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Sufferings, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FYMG-1%2F0263&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F1194254 : accessed 13 August 2021), Sufferings in 1697, County of derry. John McCoole had taken from him for tithe … twenty nine stooks and a half of oats four stooks of barly all worth seventeen shillings; Archeball McCoole had taken from him for tithe … twelve stooks of oats worth six shillings; citing YM Sufferings 1694-1705, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.

 

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FIRE%2FQUAKERS%2FQ-1-1-B%2F0077&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FULSTER%2FCON%2F133252 : accessed 13 August 2021), minutes dated 4d 9mo (Nov) 1703, John McCoole mentioned in connection with a certificate for someone else's marriage.; citing Ulster Quarterly Meeting minutes 1694-1717, Q.1.1.B, Ulster Friends Trustees Ltd.

 

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FIRE%2FQUAKERS%2FQ-1-1-B%2F0102&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FULSTER%2FCON%2F133605 : accessed 13 August 2021), minutes dated 30d 6mo (Aug) 1706, Olive McCoole appointed to look into a proposed marriage.; citing Ulster Quarterly Meeting minutes 1694-1717, Q.1.1.B, Ulster Friends Trustees Ltd.

 

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FIRE%2FQUAKERS%2FQ-1-1-B%2F0102&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FULSTER%2FCON%2F133605 : accessed 13 August 2021), minutes dated 23d 9m (November) 1706, John McCoole one of a number of Friends asked to attend a small group appointed to make a full account of them;

 

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FIRE%2FQUAKERS%2FQ-1-1-B%2F0102&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FULSTER%2FCON%2F133605 : accessed 13 August 2021), minutes dated 4d 11mo (Jan) 1706 (1707), John McCoole one of a number of Friends in a list of those to document their sufferings.; citing Ulster Quarterly Meeting minutes 1694-1717, Q.1.1.B, Ulster Friends Trustees Ltd.

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FIRE%2FQUAKERS%2FQ-1-1-B%2F0127&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FULSTER%2FCON%2F134095 : accessed 13 August 2021), minutes dated 27d 8mo (Oct) 1709, John McCoole mentioned in connection with a certificate for someone else's marriage.; citing Ulster Quarterly Meeting minutes 1694-1717, Q.1.1.B, Ulster Friends Trustees Ltd.

 

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FIRE%2FQUAKERS%2FL-G-M-1-2%2F0044&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FULSTER%2FMAR%2F002122%2FB : accessed 13 August 2021), minutes dated 10d 2mo (Apr) 1717, Archibald McCool appointed to investigate a couple's suitability for marriage.; citing Lurgan MM minutes 1710-1752, archive ref LGM1.2, Ulster Friends Trustees Ltd.

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FIRE%2FQUAKERS%2FQ-1-2%2F0195&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FULSTER%2FMAR%2F003661%2FB : accessed 13 August 2021), minutes dated 31d 11mo (Jan) 1718 (1719), David Backhouse & Sarah McCoole both of Toberhead meeting having appeared & declared ye intentions of marriage with one another before this meeting George Gregg & Morgan Wilson, Kathrin Henderson & Ann McWhorter being appointed by ye men's & women's meetings held at Grange to make inquiry concerning ye cleanness, orderly proceedings, consent of parents & relations concerned have returned ye answers yt they made inquiry & finds nothing to obstruct ye proceedings, but yt they may lawfully marry so it is ye appointment of this meeting yt ye said Daniel do publish or cause to publish ye said intentions in two several meetings at Toberhead & Dunclady & if nothing then appear against ym they may in a convenient season take each other in marriage. Note in margin 'Were married in Dunclady on ye 12th day of ye 12 m 1718/19 [12 Feb 1719] as ye Certificate may appear'; citing Ulster Quarterly Meeting minutes 1717-1750, archive ref Q.1.2, Ulster Friends Trustees Ltd.

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Sufferings, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FIRE%2FQUAKERS%2FQ-1-1-A%2F0061&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FULSTER%2FCON%2F131950 : accessed 12 August 2021), Sufferings in 1759, county of London Derry Archibald McCool had taken from him as tythe … twelve stooks of oats worth 7/-; citing Ulster Quarterly Meeting sufferings 1748-1809, archive ref Q.5.7, Ulster Friends Trustees Ltd.

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FIRE%2FQUAKERS%2FQ-1-1-A%2F0061&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FULSTER%2FCON%2F131950 : accessed 12 August 2021), minutes dated 27d 7m (July) 1760, Whereas Archibald McCool was educated in the profession of us the People Called Quakers & did sometimes frequent our Religious Meetings but for want of a faithful Adherence to the Dictates of that Divine Principle which was Sufficient to have preserved hath been prevailed on to Suffer himself to be Joined in marriage by a Priest to a Woman of a Different Profession, we do therefore Disown the said Archibald McCool to be of our Society until he Come to Witness that Godly Sorrow which worketh repentance which that the Lord which that the Lord may Mercifully Grant him is our own Sincere Desire. Given forth at a Men's Meeting held in Antrim ye 27th of ye 7th Mo 1760; citing Antrim MM minutes 1751-1800, archive ref AM5.1, Ulster Friends Trustees Ltd.

Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast  (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FIRE%2FQUAKERS%2FQ-1-1-A%2F0061&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FULSTER%2FCON%2F131950 : accessed 13 August 2021), minutes dated 15d 10m (October) 1760, Whereas Jennet McCool was educated in the profession of us the People Called Quakers & did sometimes frequent our Religious Meetings but for want Minding that divine principle which was Sufficient to have preserved her hath been prevailed on to Suffer herself to Commit that Uncleanness of Fornication & hath born a Bastard we do therefore disown the said Jennett McCool to be of our Society until she come to witness that Godly Sorrow which worketh true repentance which that the Lord which that the Lord may Mercifully Grant him is our own Sincere Desire. Given forth at a Men's Meeting held in Antrim the 15th of the 10th Mo 1760; citing Antrim MM minutes, 1751-1800, archive ref AM5.1, Ulster Friends Trustees Ltd.