EARLS FAMILY CHRONICLES

© Christopher Earls Brennen

CHAPTER SIX

THE DICK FAMILY

Family legend maintains that the first Dicks to arrive in Islandmagee were two brothers Robert and James Dick who came from Scotland. They are remembered as ``Professors of Botany'' and are reputed to have started the Islandmagee Masonic Order. Dixon Donaldson's ``History of Islandmagee'' contains a number of lists of names of Islandmagee residents. There are no Dicks on lists dated prior to 1772. On April 21 of that year, however, the Belfast News Letter published a letter of of loyalty from a group of Islandmagee residents among whom is a James Dick. It should however be observed that the 1669 Hearth Money Roll for Larne parish and town includes three Dicks, Jennett Dick, John Dick and Thomas Dick. The 1834 tithe applotment records list Robert Dick with land in Ballymoney and Drumgurland. But they also list Margaret Dick with 6 acres in Mullaghboy and William Dick with 12 acres in Ballycronanmore.

Robert Dick, our ancestor, was born in 1770 and is remembered as one of the two brothers who came from Scotland though the James Dick mentioned above is more likely to have been his father than his brother. Robert became a farmer in Islandmagee and he is listed in the 1834 tithe applotment lists as holding about 11 acres in Ballymoney and 14 acres in Drumgurland. He married Catherine Milliken who was born about 1790. Catherine was the daughter of the Chief Bailliff of Islandmagee, James Milliken (or Milligan) and his wife Catherine Hilditch. James was born in 1759 and died on Jan.15, 1837; his wife was born in 1763 and died on May 23, 1812. They had ten other children besides Catherine: John, William, Jane, Jennet, Sally and Margaret among others. Robert and Catherine Dick had ten children. One of the interesting local customs is to remember the names of large families by creating a rhyme as an aid to the memory. Eileen Gray remembers that her father often used to repeat the rhyme of the ten children of Robert and Catherine Dick which went as follows:

Rab and Tam
Jock an' Sam
Wilson, Will an' Jamie O
Mary Jane, Kate an' Meg
Oul Rab an' Katie O
There are still many Islandmagee folk who can quote this rhyme though without knowing to whom it refers. Robert and Catherine are buried in the Ballypriormore graveyard on Islandmagee where their gravestone inscription reads as follows:
``Erected by James Dick in memory of his father Robert Dick who died July 4th 1844 aged 74 years. Also his mother Catherine Dick, who died 4th Novr. 1878 aged 88 years. The above named James Dick died 1st March 1892 aged 80 years. Also his wife Margaret Dick who died 28th July 1897 aged 78 years. Sophia Dick, wife of James Dick jun. died 20th Sept. 1896 aged 47 years. Also James Dick jun. died 10th June 1923 aged 73 years.''

CHILDREN OF ROBERT DICK AND CATHERINE MILLIKEN:

  1. Robert Dick and his wife Letitia Dale
    Robert Dick, our ancestor, was the eldest child of Robert and Catherine Dick. He became a carpenter in Ballymoney, Islandmagee, County Antrim. On Jan.7, 1837 he married Letitia (Letty) Dale (1804-1899) of Ballyruther, Carncastle, County Antrim in the Carncastle Presbyterian Church. The Griffith Valuation of about 1860 lists Robert Dick as leasing a house and small garden (worth fifteen shillings) in Ballymoney, Islandmagee, from James Milliken. The property, designated No.4b, was valued at fifteen shillings and was close to the Methodist Church but on the opposite side of the road. The ruins of the homestead could still be seen in 1989. Letty is remembered standing at the door of their cottage and pointing toward Carncastle where she was born. Their seven children are listed later in the chapter.

  2. Thomas Alexander Dick who also added the middle name ``Mackey'' was born about 1830 and became a farmer in Ballymoney, Islandmagee. He married twice. On Mar.9, 1852, he was married to Elizabeth Templeton from Ballydown, Islandmagee, in the Second Presbyterian Church of Islandmagee. Elizabeth's father was Robert Templeton, a seaman, and the witnesses to the marriage were William Yeates and Samuel Arthurs. Robert Templeton is listed in the 1834 tithe applotments as holding about 4 acres of land in the townland of Mullaghboy. Thomas and Elizabeth Dick had six children listed below but Elizabeth must have died fairly young for Thomas was married a second time to Elizabeth Taylor with whom he had another four children. The Griffith Valuation of about 1860 lists Thomas Dick as leasing a house in Mullaghboy, Islandmagee, from John Milliken. The house, valued at ten shillings, was next to the Presbyterian Meetinghouse. John Milliken was Thomas Dick's ``uncle'' and when John died on Jul.15, 1869, Thomas inherited part of John Milliken's holdings in Ballymoney and Mullaghboy. Thomas also succeeded John Milliken as bailiff of the Marquis of Donegal's estates in Islandmagee. There is a baton, a badge of office, associated with this position which consists of a staff about 30 inches long surmounted by a four-sided capitol, on two sides of which are the regal crown with the initials GR IV and the other two sides of which are decorated with the Marquis's coronet. This baton was passed on to Thomas's son Hugh and is believed to be still in the family's possession. Thomas Dick died in 1887.
    1. Hugh Dick was born in 1853 and became a farmer in Ballymoney, Islandmagee. He was also school inspector for Islandmagee and the surrounding area and did engraving and lettering on coffins. In Mar.1879 he married Priscilla Augusta Haig who was the daughter of the Chief Coastguard at Portmuck and was ``a distant relation of Earl Haig''; she was born in England about 1857. They had at least nine children listed below. Hugh and Priscilla and their family are listed in Ballymoney in the 1901 Census. Hugh inherited his father's land in Ballymoney and Mullaghboy and he and his family lived in ``Ballymoney House'' on the east side of the road just north of Ballymoney. Hugh also succeeded his father in the position of bailiff, a position which he occupied for over forty years and in which he was held in high esteem by both the tenantry and the landowners. The family belonged to the Second Islandmagee Presbyterian Church. Hugh served the church as Precentor or leader of the Praise service for many years beginning in 1876 and was appointed an elder of the church on Nov.17, 1911. Hugh died on May 29, 1938, and Priscilla died on Jul.22, 1940, aged 83.
      1. Priscilla Dick was born on Dec.20, 1879, in Ballymoney. She married ``Captain'' Alex McIlwaine and died in 1974 at the age of 94. She had three children:
        1. Alex McIlwaine was a teacher in Carrick Model School, now retired (1991). He married a woman named Margaret and had a son Colin. They live in Carrickfergus.
        2. Sheila McIlwaine became a lecturer at a university in London and is now retired (1991). She is unmarried and visits Carrickfergus regularly.
        3. Priscilla McIlwaine married Tommy Dryden and had a child Morag. They lived in Scarborough, England. Priscilla died in 1985.
      2. Francis C. Dick, ``Captain Frank'', was born about 1881 and became a sailor. He married Mary Amelia Hill and they had four children listed below. Mary died on Sep.16, 1946, at the age of 63 and Frank died on Jul.30, 1960, at the age of 78. Their children:
        1. Hugh Dick married Winnie Russell and had a son Hill Dick.
        2. William Dick married Molly McCalmont and had two sons. One son, Arnold Dick, was a teacher at Ballypriormore School, Islandmagee, and married Gwen Busby. The other son, Desmond Dick, married and divorced a McKay and then married a Dick.
        3. May Dick married Fred Hughes and had two sons, Fred and George Hughes. May died in 1981.
        4. Priscilla Dick (who was friendly with my mother, Muriel Earls) married Cecil Woods and had a son Frank Woods.
      3. Florence Dick was born about 1884 and married H.B. Mitchell, a blacksmith who also ran a mill and had 180 pigs at one time. She died in 1956 aged 72 and he died on Jun.25, 1973, aged 93. They had five children:
        1. Hamilton Mitchell became a sailor as a young man. He was very skilled and built his own boats. Hamilton married Betty Brown. He died on Mar.12, 1986, but his widow still lives in Islandmagee (1989). They had two daughters Barbara and Brenda. Barbara married and divorced Bill Jamison; she then married Robert Eckersley with whom she had twins Rachel and Rebecca. Brenda married Ian Stocks and has a daughter Lynne Michelle.
        2. Charles Mitchell was a skilled builder who built his own house. He married Sheila Templeton who bore two sons Dwight and Peter. Sheila died in childbirth with Peter. Dwight married Marie Alexander and they have a son Alexander. Peter married June. After his first wife died Charles Mitchell married Jean Templeton, Sheila's sister who bore four children, Susan, William, Joanne and David. Susan is married. Joanne was killed in an accident in 1974. Charles Mitchell died in 1976.
        3. William Mitchell, who still lives in Islandmagee (1989), married Marie McCalmont. They had three children, Robert, Florence and Timothy Mitchell. Robert married. Florence married a man named Armstrong.
        4. Sarah Mitchell married Ernie McDevitte and they had two children Charles and Elizabeth. Charles McDevitte married Margaret Boyd and they had two children Amanda and Trevor. Elizabeth McDevitte married Les McKinty and they had two children, Karen and Colin. Sarah still lives in Ballyclare (1989).
        5. Ina Mitchell married Sam Busby and they had three children, Hamilton, Gwen and Ann. Hamilton married Pamela Graham and they had three children Carole, Kerry and Kim Busby. Gwen married Arnold Dick and they have a daughter Laura Dick. Ann married Barry Niblock and they have two children Mark and Julie Niblock. Ina Busby still lives in Islandmagee (1989).
      4. Elizabeth Dick, known as Lily, was born about 1886 and became a seamstress. She married William Jones and they had three children listed below. They lived in Liverpool.
        1. Wilfred Jones was at the Dunkirk retreat at the beginning of the Second World War. Later he became a chef working in England in the vicinity of Morecambe and Lancaster. He married Renee Johnston but they had no children. Wilfred died in 1977.
        2. George Jones who had a twin brother Hugh. He was at the Dunkirk retreat at the beginning of the Second World War. George Jones died unmarried in 1979.
        3. Hugh Jones was George's twin brother. Hugh became a partner in an engineering firm. He married a woman named Joyce and they live in Wales (1989). They also had twins Roderick and Russell Jones.
      5. Hugh T. Dick was born about 1888 and became a sailor. He was married twice. His first marriage to Rosie McKay was childless. Then he married his cousin Elizabeth Arnold and they had two children listed below. Hugh T. Dick died about 1938.
        1. Lillian Frances Dick became a teacher in Manchester, England, and is now retired (1991). She married Hugh Dean and they live in Manchester. They have two children, Ian and Allison Dean. Allison is now married.
          Hugh Dick
        2. Hugh Dick was fostered and cared for by Annie Pollock when he was orphaned. He served in the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the police force in Northern Ireland. He married Margaret McCalmont and they lived in Islandmagee (1989). They had a daughter Andrea who married Desmond Dick and lived in Islandmagee and also a son David Dick.
      6. Thomas Augustus Dick was born on Sep.18, 1890, and became a sailor. He married Margaret Mawhinney and they had five children listed below. Thomas died in Larne in 1972 and Margaret in 1981. Their children include:
        1. Margaret Eveline Dick was born in Larne in Sep.1920. She became the assistant matron of Moyle Hospital in Larne. She lived in Whitehead (1991) and died in 2010. Margaret died in Antrim in 2010.
        2. Hugh Dick was born in 1922 in Belfast and died unmarried in Whitehead in 1972.
        3. James Dick, ``Captain Jim'', served at sea with the Blue Funnel Line and later with Ocean Fleets. He married Mena McCallion and lives in Belfast (1989). They had three children, Mary, Thelma and James Dick. Mary Dick married David Torrens and they have two children, Peter and Allison. Thelma married Brian Boyd and they have three sons, Andrew, Jonathan and David Boyd. James married Patricia Hoey and they have three daughters, Jennifer, Heather and Caroline Dick.
        4. Chalmers Dick married Edna Wilson and emigrated to Canada. They have two children, Barabara and Adrian Dick. Barbara Dick married Peter Jennings.
        5. Haig Dick married a woman named Hazel and emigrated to USA. Though he has a Captains Ticket he works as an Insurance Surveyor in New York. They have three children Heather, Andrew and Steven Dick.
      7. Minnie Dick was born in 1894 and, in 1923, married Capt. Alexander English, M.B.E., who was employed with the Blue Funnel Line. They lived in Brown's Bay, Islandmagee. Minnie died on Oct.11, 1989, aged 95 and Alexander died on Sep.15, 1958, aged 62. They had four children:
        1. Minnie Augusta English married William Reynolds and they presently live in Whitehead (1989). They had a daughter Heather Reynolds.
        2. Sarah Alexandra English became a nurse and married James Marmaduke McIlwaine, an assistant superintendent engineer with Ocean Fleets. In 1990 they live in Fleetwood, Lancashire. They had three children, Elizabeth, Ann and Arnold McIlwaine. On Sep.16, 1989, Ann McIlwaine married Christopher Mandale and they have a son, Angus. Arnold McIlwaine married a woman named Christine and they have three children, Sarah, Jennifer and Richard McIlwaine.
        3. Hugh Alexander English was born on Aug.13, 1928. He became a chief engineer with Blue Funnel Line and later with British Rail. Alex married Inez Gladys Barclay, born Nov.16, 1938. They presently live in Whitehead (1989). Alex English and his mother Minnie constructed much of the history of the Dick family on which this account is based. Alex and Inez have five children, John Alexander, Brian Houston, Margaret Eveline, Barbara Carol Diane and Kenneth Barclay English. John English has his chief engineer's ticket with P.\&O. ships. Brian English married Denise Armstrong and they have four children, Christopher, Elaine Mary and twins Adele Caron and Michael William English. Margaret English married Angus MacDonald and they have three children, Angela, Lauren and Matthew MacDonald. Barbara English married Robert Andrews and they have a son Brian Alexander Andrews.
        4. Elizabeth May English was born in 1930 and married Capt. John Kane. They had five children, Hill, Helen, Terence and twins John and James Kane. Terence Kane became a sailor; he married Lyn Buckle and they have a son, Daron Kane. May Kane died in 1976 and her husband John died in June 1991.
      8. Charles Dick was born about 1896 and became a sailor and later worked as a pilot in Belfast Lough. He married Winnie Blackburn. Charles died in 1977 aged 81 and Winnie died in 1988. They had two children:
        1. Shiela Dick married a Moore and presently lives in Belfast (1989). They had two children.
        2. Beryl Dick married and presently lives in England (1989). She has four children.
      9. Edward Dick died at the age of about 5 as a result of swallowing a marble.
    2. Robert Dick was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Templeton Dick. His birth in Ballymoney on Aug.3, 1874, was attended by Martha McNeilly and was registered. Robert became a bricklayer and was married twice. His first wife, whose surname was Young, gave birth to a son, Robert (died prior to 1990). His second wife was Abby Fleck, born about 1871, and they had five children listed below. Robert, Abby and their daughter Elizabeth are listed as living in Ballykeel, Islandmagee, at the time of the 1901 Census; they are living in the home of Abby's mother, Margaret Fleck.
      1. Elizabeth Dick was born about 1900 and is listed as living with her mother in Ballykeel in the 1901 Census. She became a schoolteacher at Magheramore and is now retired (1990). She married David Laird and had two children:
        1. James Laird married Ann Bell.
        2. Margaret Laird married a man named Martin.
      2. Wesley Dick married Gertie Armstrong. They had at least one son:
        1. Robert Dick became a professor in USA who worked with NASA.
      3. Ruby Dick married Dr. Dougherty.
      4. Margaret Dick married Frank Anderson.
      5. Thomas Dick was married twice, first to Betty Bell and then to Edie Bell. His sons:
        1. Frank Dick is a son of Thomas and Betty Dick.
        2. Robert Dick is a son of Thomas and Betty Dick.
        3. Thomas Dick is a son of Thomas and Edie Dick.
    3. Thomas Dick was born about 1859, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Templeton Dick. Thomas became a farmer in Mullaghboy. He married Sarah Ross, born about 1859, and they had three children listed below. Thomas, Sarah and their three children appear in the 1901 Census for Mullaghboy. There is a gravestone in Ballypriormore graveyard commemorating a Thomas Dick who died in 1930 at the age of 70 and his wife Sarah who died in 1931 at the age of 71.
      1. Catherine E. Dick, known as Cassie, was born about 1892. She did not marry.
      2. Margaret A. Dick was born about 1894. She married a Tomlinson and had two children:
        1. Richard Tomlinson.
        2. Catherine Tomlinson.
      3. Martha Dick was born about 1895. She did not marry.
    4. Martha Dick was a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Templeton Dick. She married James Moore and they had eight children as follows.
      1. Eliza Moore married John Alfred Jones.
      2. William Moore married Alexandra.
      3. Agnes Moore married Tom Ross and they emigrated to Canada.
      4. Martha Moore married John Gill.
      5. Thomas Moore married a Canadian woman.
      6. Ellen Moore married Capt. Tom Ross and they had two children:
        1. Vera Ross married a man named Welsh.
        2. Tony Ross married a woman named Chapman.
      7. Sarah Moore married William Ross and they had three children:
        1. Lilian Ross married a man named Sturdy.
        2. Bertha Ross married a man named Thompson.
        3. Jean Ross.
      8. John Moore married a woman named Cameron and had at least two children, Phyllis and James Moore. Phyllis married George Kincaid. Jim Moore was also married.
    5. Mary Dick was a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Templeton Dick. Her birth on Feb.13, 1864, was registered. Mary married Robert Henry Donald. They lived in Ballymoney, Islandmagee and had nine children as follows.
      1. James Donald married Katherine Hill and they had two children:
        1. Kay Donald.
        2. Leslie Donald.
      2. Robert Donald was unmarried.
      3. Edward Donald was born about 1891 and married Jessie Smith of Kilcoan. He joined the Navy as an able-seaman and was serving on board H.M.T. ``Adriatic'' when the ship was lost by enemy action in November, 1916. He was 25 at the time of his death.
      4. Thomas Donald married his brother's widow, Jessie Smith.
      5. Arthur Donald married Lily and they had four children:
        1. Robert Donald married a McHugh.
        2. Arthur Donald married Lettie Allan.
        3. James Donald married a Cranson.
        4. Mary Donald died young.
      6. Hugh Donald married a woman from Cardiff.
      7. Harold Donald married Ena Polan and they had two children:
        1. Nancy Donald.
        2. Rotha Donald.
      8. Cissie Donald married Bob Montgomery, a well-known fiddler, and they had one child. Cissie died in 1984.
        1. Robert Montgomery died at the age of 19.
      9. Ray Donald married John Hunter and they had two children. Ray died in 1985.
        1. Thomas Hunter remarried after his first wife died. He died in 1988.
        2. Infant who died young.
    6. Sarah Dick, born in 1860, was a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Templeton Dick. She married James Millikan (1845-1886), a grandson of the James Millikan (1759-1837) and Catherine Hilditch were also grandparents to Sarah Dick. James Millikan (1759-1837) was once the Chief Bailliff of Islandmagee and founded the Methodist Chapel in Mullaghboy. Sarah's good works on behalf of that Methodist Chapel are commented on in the ``History of Islandmagee''. The grandson, James (1845-1886), was the son of another James Milliken (1802-1885) and his wife Elizabeth (McMullen) (1825-1910) and became a farmer in Ballymoney. James Millikan (1845-1886) and Sarah (Dick) had five children:
      1. John Milligan, known as Jack, married Mary Charlotte Forbes and they had two children.
        1. James Milligan was married.
        2. Charlotte Milligan was married.
      2. James Milligan was born in 1885 and married Minnie Clark. He died in 1944.
      3. Sarah Milligan was born in 1878 and married Richard Donnelly.
      4. Elizabeth Milligan was born on Nov.15, 1879, in Ballymoney with Martha McNeilly present. She married Alexander Donald.
      5. Jean Milligan died unmarried in 1914 at the age of 20.
    7. Catherine Dick was a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Templeton Dick. She married a Thomas Dick and they had a daughter
      1. Elizabeth Dick.
    8. Robert James Dick was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Taylor Dick.
    9. Margaret Isobel Dick was a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Taylor Dick. She married Hugh Wilson of Ballymuldrough, Islandmagee and had five children:
      1. Lily Wilson married Cecil McCosh and they had three children:
        1. William Andrew McCosh was married.
        2. Margaret McCosh married a Purdy.
        3. Hugh McCosh was married.
      2. Mary Wilson married a Hunter.
      3. Hugh Wilson.
      4. Isabel Wilson.
      5. William Wilson.
    10. Elizabeth Dick was a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Taylor Dick. She was a dwarf.
    11. William Dick, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Taylor Dick, was born about 1886 and joined the Navy as an able-seaman. He was serving on the S.S.``Daleby'' when it was sunk by submarine action in the Irish Sea on Apr.29, 1917. He was 31, unmarried and resident at the home of his sister Margaret (Mrs. Hugh Wilson) at the time of his death.

  3. John Dick, known as Jock, was born in 1837, a son of Robert and Catherine Dick. He became a sailor based in Ballylumford, Islandmagee, but later moved to Ballymoney. Jock was first married to a woman named Arthurs by whom he had three children. Later he married Ellen Nelson Colville, born in 1853, and they had six children. At the time of the 1901 Census Jock and Ellen Dick were living in the townland of Balloo, Islandmagee, with their son Wilson. Jock died in 1912 at the age of 74; his wife Ellen died in the same year at the age of 59.
    1. Catherine Dick was a daughter of John Dick by his first marriage. She married her cousin Robert Dick but had no children.
    2. Robert Dick was a son of John Dick by his first marriage. He was drowned.
    3. James Dick was a son of John Dick by his first marriage. He was drowned.
    4. Francis Dick was a son of John Dick and Ellen Colville. He never married.
    5. Margaret Dick was a daughter of John Dick and Ellen Colville. She married an Orr.
    6. John Dick was born on Jan.13, 1879, in Ballylumford, the son of John Dick and Ellen Colville. He was married.
    7. Mary Dick was born on Sep.18, 1880, in Ballymoney, the daughter of John Dick and Ellen Colville. She married a McDonald and had a daughter Nellie.
    8. Samuel Dick was a son of John Dick and Ellen Colville. He was not married.
    9. Wilson Dick, born about 1888, was a son of John Dick and Ellen Colville. At the time of the 1901 Census he was living in Balloo with his parents. Wilson had a son named Roy Dick.

  4. Samuel Dick was a son of Robert and Catherine Dick. He moved to the Ballymena area.

  5. Wilson Cupples Dick, a son of Robert and Catherine Dick, was born in 1834. He became a sailor residing in Drumgurland. On July 6, 1860, he married Mary Alexander of Ballymoney, born about 1838, the daughter of farmer Robert and Martha Alexander, in the Larne Registry Office with a second ceremony in Islandmagee Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. Thomas Ross and George Alley witnessed the marriage. Later they moved to Kilcoanbeg where they had a farm. Wilson is buried in the Ballypriormore graveyard where his gravestone reads:
    ``Erected by Wilson Cupples Dick in memory of his son Robert who departed this life 2nd May 1874 aged 5 years. Also his daughter Catherine who died 14th February 1880 aged 17 years. Also his son James who died 11th March 1883 aged 12 years. The above named Wilson Cupples Dick who died 19th April 1900 aged 66 years. Also his wife Mary Dick who died 5th February 1921 aged 83 years. And his daughter Mary Sophia who died September 1944 aged 66 years. And his son Wilson Dick who died 11th April 1946 aged 73 years.''
    In the 1901 Census, Mary Dick is recorded as residing in Kilcoanbeg with her children Margaret, Mary Sophia and Samuel. The children of Wilson Cupples and Mary Dick:
    1. Catherine Dick was born about 1863 and died on Feb.14, 1880, at the age of 17 (see above gravestone inscription).
    2. Frances Arabella Dick was born in Ballymoney on Dec.13, 1864, with her grandmother Martha Alexander present.
    3. Margaret Dick was born on Dec.21, 1867, in Kilcoan, Islandmagee. She never married.
    4. Robert Dick was born on Jan.27, 1869, in Kilcoan, Islandmagee, and died on May 2, 1874, at the age of 5.
    5. James Dick was born on Apr.8, 1871, in Kilcoan, Islandmagee, and died on Mar.11, 1883, at the age of 12.
    6. Wilson Dick was born on Jul.29, 1872, in Ballymuldrough, and died on Apr.11, 1946, aged 73 years.
    7. William Dick was born on Dec.20, 1873, in Kilcoan. He married Martha Hawthorne and emigrated to South Africa.
    8. Robert Dick was born on Jun.7, 1876, in Kilcoan.
    9. Mary Sophia Dick was born on Jan.9, 1878, in Kilcoan and died unmarried in September 1944 aged 66 years.
    10. Samuel Dick was born about 1882 and was listed as an apprentice joiner in the 1901 Census.
    11. Martha Dick married a Duff and emigrated.

  6. William Dick, a son of Robert and Catherine Dick, was born about 1824 and became a carpenter in Ballymoney, Islandmagee. He was married twice. On Nov.10, 1848, he married Frances ``Fanny'' Flack of Ballymoney, born about 1824 the daughter of the schoolmaster, James Flack, in the Second Presbyterian Church, Islandmagee. James Flack had opened a day school at ``Lunnon'', Mullaghboy, about 1820 and this continued with success until Mr. Flack was asked to take charge of the new National School in 1839. His life is featured in Dixon Donaldson's ``History of Islandmagee''. William and Fanny had two daughters:
    1. Catherine Dick was born in 1851. As a young girl she went to serve as housekeeper to a wealthy old man, William McClelland, who lived at Portmuck, Islandmagee. About 1869, Catherine was married to William. William was born about 1798 and was therefore 52 years older. He became a very active member of the Islandmagee community and his name is frequently mentioned in the 1839/1840 Ordnance Survey Memoirs for the parish. In 1827, he erected a pier at Portmuck for the purpose of shipping limestone from the nearby quarries to Scotland and County Down. This cost him about 400 pounds. However, as a result of a lawsuit brought by John Irwin in 1837, he was prohibited from this trade much to his chagrin. He or his father also built a flour mill at Portmuck in 1813 which ceased operation in 1822 due to lack of work and water. This was situated in a house later rented to a coastguard. William McClelland died on Apr.2, 1887, aged 88, and Catherine erected a gravestone in his memory in Islandmagee Church of Ireland graveyard. Catherine was then married to her cousin Big John Dick, the son of James and Margaret Dick, who is listed later. Catherine had no children that we know of.
    2. Sophia Dick married sailor William Long of Mullaghboy in 1875 and they had at least four children:
      1. William Long was born on Sep.6, 1880, in Mullaghboy with his grandmother Fanny Dick of Portmuck present. William emigrated to USA when in his teens.
      2. Jemima Long, known as ``Mimie'', married Jack MacDonald, a bosun, and had three children:
        1. Angus MacDonald (capt.) married Helen Bailey and had 5 children, Carol, Helen, Rosie, Angus and Gordon MacDonald. Helen married T. Townsley and had children, Aaron, Lucinda and Ellen Townsley. Rosie married Cyril Dick and had children, Gordon, James, Ryan and twins David and Andrew. Carol married H. Harrison and had children Dawn and Shane. Angus married Margaret Eveline English, the daughter of Alex and Inez English (see earlier in chapter) and they have three children.
        2. William MacDonald (capt.) married Betty Foster and had two children, Angus and Lavina MacDonald. Angus had three children, Emma, Angus and Hamish MacDonald. Lavina also married and had children including a son Nicholas.
        3. Kenneth MacDonald married Betty McMurtry and they had a son John MacDonald.
      3. Catherine Long married John Hill of the Valley, a farm in Portmuck. They had at least six children:
        1. John Hill (capt.) married Roberta Sloan and they had three children including Felicity and Jennifer Hill.
        2. James Hill (capt.) married Olive Maclin and had two daughters Dorothy and Olivia.
        3. Sophia Hill married Capt. Picken and had three sons James, John and Cyril Picken.
        4. Isabella Hill married J. McMurtry and had two daughters Doreen and Hilda McMurtry.
        5. Kathleen Hill married J. Donald and had two children, Kay and Leslie Donald.
        6. Leslie Hill (capt.) inherited the family farm in Portmuck which was sold after his death in 1991. Leslie married Vera Clements and had a son, Les.
      4. Frances Sophia Long was born about 1884 and is listed as living with her uncle and aunt, John and Catherine Dick, in Mullaghboy in the 1901 Census. Francis married Herbert Higginson and had two sons:
        1. George Higginson married Florence Burns and had two sons, Harry and Denis Higginson.
        2. William Higginson married Muriel Williamson and had children, Sarah and Kenneth Higginson.
    Frances Dick (formerly Flack) died just nine years after her marriage to William Dick and her gravestone in the Ballypriormore graveyard, Islandmagee, reads:
    ``Erected by William Dick in memory of his wife, Fanny Fleck, who died 13th Sept., 1857, aged 33 years. Also his infant son Hugh who died 20th Feb. 1874.''
    Three years later, on Nov.21, 1860, William was married to Frances Templeton of Ballymoney, the daughter of a farmer, Thomas Templeton. The marriage took place in the Second Presbyterian Church of Islandmagee and was witnessed by Thomas Ross and Frances Alexander. Oddly, the occupation of William's father Robert is given this time as shoemaker rather than farmer as was the case on his first marriage certificate. William and Fanny had at least six children:
    1. William Dick was born on Jul.21, 1864, in Ballymoney and became a carpenter with Head Line.
    2. James Dick was born on Oct.17, 1866, in Ballymoney.
    3. John Dick was born on Nov.6, 1868, in Mullaghboy with Mary Jane Arthurs present. John became a carpenter with Head Line and married his ``cousin'' Letitia Dick, the daughter of Robert and Mary Ellen Dick. Their children are listed later under Letitia's family.
    4. Martha Dick was born on Aug.8, 1870, in Mullaghboy.
    5. Margaret Dick was born on Feb.23, 1872, in Mullaghboy. Either Margaret or her sister Martha were twice to men named Earwood and Wilson. A daughter of Margaret (or Martha) married a man named Hopkins and had two children, Bob and Betty Hopkins.
    6. Hugh Dick was born on Jan.30, 1874, in Mullaghboy and died Feb.20, 1874, according to the above gravestone inscription.

  7. James Dick, a son of Robert and Catherine Dick, was born about 1812. In the Griffith Valuation of about 1860, James Dick is listed as renting a house worth four pounds and 15 acres, 3 roods and 10 perches of land worth 16 pounds, 10 shillings in the townland of Drumgurland from Charles P. Leslie. James married Margaret Arthurs, born about 1819. James became precentor of First Islandmagee Presbyterian Church, the precentor being the person who led the praise service. He retired from this office in 1870. James died on Mar.1, 1892, at the age of 80 and Margaret on Jul.28, 1897, at the age of 78. They are remembered on a gravestone in Ballypriormore graveyard which reads:
    ``Erected by James Dick in memory of his father Robert Dick who died July 4th 1844 aged 74 years. Also his mother Catherine Dick, who died 4th Novr. 1878 aged 88 years. The above named James Dick died 1st March 1892 aged 80 years. Also his wife Margaret Dick who died 28th July 1897 aged 78 years. Sophia Dick, wife of James Dick jun. died 20th Sept. 1896 aged 47 years. Also James Dick jun. died 10th June 1923 aged 73 years.''
    James and Margaret Dick had at least eight children as follows:
    1. Catherine Dick was born in Drumgurland on Apr.8, 1843, and was baptized on May 21, 1843. On Jan.29, 1874, Catherine Dick, the daughter of farmer James Dick, was married in Second Islandmagee Presbyterian Church to Hugh Hill, full-aged bachelor farmer, the son of farmer Hugh Hill and his wife Mary. William B. Hill and Annie Hill were witnesses. Hugh was born about 1828 and had a brother named Robert. Catherine and Hugh are listed as resident in Ballytober, Islandmagee, at the time of the 1901 Census. Listed as living with them are their children Margaret Maria, Mary, Catherine, Esther, William Hugh and Sarah Jane as well as their grandson Robert Hamilton Hill aged one. Catherine and Hugh's children:
      1. Margaret Maria Hill was born on Jan.19, 1878, in Ballytober with Margaret Dick of Drumgurland present. She is listed as a 23-year-old living with her parents in Ballytober in the 1901 Census. Margaret married Walter Atwood, born in 1884, and had at least 6 children. Walter died in 1937. Their children:
        1. Walter Atwood
        2. Mildred Atwood
        3. Mary Atwood
        4. Rita Atwood
        5. William Atwood
        6. Claire Atwood
        >
      2. Mary Hill was born on Jun.2, 1879, in Ballytober. She is listed as a 22-year-old living with her parents in Ballytober in the 1901 Census.
      3. Catherine Hill was born on Jul.10, 1880, in Ballytober. She is listed as a 20-year-old living with her parents in Ballytober in the 1901 Census. Catherine married a Milliken. She died in 1937. Catherine had a son:
        1. Robert Hamilton Hill was born in 1900 in Ballytober. On Mar.19, 1924, in Flaxcombe, Saskatchewan, Canada, he was married to Etta Murial Forbes (born 1902). Robert and Muriel had children:
          1. Robert Harold Hill born Jan.5, 1925, in Kindersley, Saskatchewan.
          2. David Alexander Hill born Jun.18, 1926, in Kindersley, Saskatchewan.
          3. Margaret Joyce Hill born Nov.25, 1931, in Kindersley, Saskatchewan.
          4. Morris Albert Hill born Mar.5, 1935, in Kindersley, Saskatchewan.
          5. Gertrude Esther Hill born Oct.24, 1937, in Kindersley, Saskatchewan.
         
        Left: Hill Family: Rear: Unknown, Margaret Hill, Mary Hill, Catherine Hill, William Hill.
        Front: Hugh Hill, Catherine Hill, John Dick, Margaret Dick, Arthur Dick, Unknown.
        Right: Robert, Harold and Muriel Hill
         
      4. Esther Hill was born about 1882 and is listed as a 19-year-old living with her parents in Ballytober in the 1901 Census.
      5. William Hugh Hill was born about 1883 and is listed as an 18-year-old living with his parents in Ballytober in the 1901 Census.
      6. Sarah Jane Hill was born about 1886 and is listed as a 15-year-old living with her parents in Ballytober in the 1901 Census.
    2. Margaret Dick was born in Drumgurland on Jul.8, 1845, and was baptized on Aug.31, 1845. On Dec.20, 1869, she was married in the First Islandmagee Presbyterian Church to Joseph Jones, a sailor of Ballymoney, Islandmagee. He was born about 1840, the son of Robert Jones, a farmer. She was also of full age, the daughter of James Dick, a farmer in Drumgurland. Catherine Dick and William McIlwain witnessed the marriage. When his son Robert was born Joseph was still a sailor. However, in the 1901 Census, Joseph is listed as a farmer, living in Mullaghboy, Islandmagee, with his wife, Margaret, and their children Mary, Maggie and Willie. Joseph and Margaret had at least four children:
      1. Robert Jones was born on Jun.15, 1872, in Mullaghboy with Catherine Dick of Drumgurland present. Robert had three children, Eileen, Elsie and Leslie. Eileen Jones married a man named Grey. Elsie married a man named McDowell and had two children Pauline (who married a man named Moody and had a daughter, Ria) and Kennedy (who married a woman named Craig and had a daughter Cateryn). Leslie married a woman named Vera and had a son Robert Jones and a daughter Avril (who married a man named Hall).
      2. Mary H. Jones was born about 1874 and is listed as a 26-year-old farmer's daughter living with her parents in the 1901 Census. She married a sailor John Templeton and they had three sons, Joe, Alfie and Jack.
      3. Maggie E. Jones was born about 1878 and is listed as a 22-year-old seamstress living with her parents in the 1901 Census.
      4. William Jones was born about 1885 and is listed as a 15-year-old living with his parents in the 1901 Census. He married his distant relative Lily Dick mentioned earlier in the chapter.
    3. Mary Dick was born in Drumgurland on Feb.6, 1847, and was baptized on Feb.28, 1847. On Aug.28, 1873, Mary Dick, daughter of farmer James Dick, was married in Second Presbyterian Church, Islandmagee, to William Hill, a full-aged bachelor farmer of Islandmagee, the son of sailor William Hill. Alexander Ross and Catherine Dick were witnesses. William was also born in 1847. They are listed in the 1901 Census as resident in the townland of Portmuck, Islandmagee along with their children Jane, Elizabeth, Mary A. and John. The children:
      1. Jane Hill was born about 1875 and is listed as a dressmaker living with her parents in Portmuck at the time of the 1901 Census. Jane married a man named Templeton.
      2. Elizabeth Hill was born in Portmuck on Apr.29, 1880. Margaret Dick of Drumgurland attended the birth. She is listed as living with her parents in Portmuck at the time of the 1901 Census. Elizabeth did not marry.
      3. Mary Amelia Hill was born about 1883 and is listed as living with her parents in Portmuck at the time of the 1901 Census. She married Frank Dick and they had four children.
      4. John Hill, known as ``Big John'' was born about 1884 and is listed as a carpenter living with his parents in Portmuck at the time of the 1901 Census. John married Mary Templeton and they had two children:
        1. William Hill.
        2. Maureen Hill.
      5. Margaret Hill married Ernie Crabb.
    4. James Dick was born in Drumgurland on Aug.16, 1849, and was baptized on Aug.21, 1849. He married a woman named Sophia (Arthurs?), born about 1849. He is listed as a 52 year old farmer living alone in the townland of Drumgurland in the 1901 Census. Sophia died on Sep.20, 1896, at the age of 47 and James on Jun.10, 1923, at the age of 73 as the above gravestone inscription attests.
    5. Elizabeth Dick was born in Drumgurland on Nov.22, 1851, and was baptized on Nov.27, 1851.
    6. Isabelle Amelia Dick was born in Drumgurland on Oct.29, 1854, and was baptized on Dec.12, 1854. She became a schoolteacher and, in the mid-1870s, she was appointed the principal of Brown's Bay National School where she was assisted by her sister Martha. Shortly thereafter she married another schoolteacher, Samuel Thomas Smiley Fullerton born about 1850. In 1878 Amelia Fullerton moved to the principalship of Mullaghboy National School. Eventually Amelia gave up teaching in 1890. They were school teachers at Brown's Bay, Islandmagee. Samuel died on Nov.30, 1923 at the age of 73 and Isabelle died on Jul.20, 1924, at the age of 69. They are both buried in Ballypriormore graveyard, Islandmagee. They had five children:
      1. Mabel Fullerton was born about 1887 and died Dec.25, 1925, aged 38.
      2. Alice Elizabeth Fullerton was born about 1890 and died Feb.15, 1959, aged 69.
      3. Victor Alexander Fullerton was born about 1894 and died Jun.9, 1961, aged 67.
      4. Albert Ernest Fullerton was also born about 1894 and died Feb.1, 1917, aged 23.
      5. Alfred Joseph Fullerton died Jul.10, 1962, aged 64.
      6. Robert Fullerton was born about 1898 and died Jun.6, 1935. He married a woman named Gertrude Anna.
    7. Martha Dick was born in Drumgurland on Jul.2, 1857, and was baptized on Jul.6, 1857. She became a schoolteacher and was assisting her sister Amelia in Brown's Bay National School in the mid-1870s. When Amelia moved to Mullaghboy in 1878, Thomas Parke was appointed principal of Brown's Bay National School on Sep.1, 1878, a position which he continued to hold until Apr.30, 1914. Early in his tenure Thomas Parke married his assistant Martha Dick. He also acquired a farm in Ballylumford on which he erected a house called ``Rockmount'' which overlooked Larne Harbour and the sea. After his retirement they moved to ``The Hill'' near the National School. Thomas was very active in the First Islandmagee Presbyterian Church, which he served as senior elder, as clerk of Session and as superintendent of the Sabbath school.
    8. John Dick, known as Big John Dick, was born in Drumgurland on Sep.6, 1861, and was baptized on Sep.16, 1861. He married his ``cousin'' Catherine Dick, the daughter of William and Fanny Dick, who is listed earlier. Catherine was born about 1851 and had previously been married to William McClelland, a wealthy old man more than 50 years her senior. There is a family legend that Big John Dick was walking along the road talking to himself when he was overheard wishing the old boy (William) would pass on so that he could marry his Catherine. In the 1901 Census John and Catherine are listed as living in Mullaghboy; their neice, Frances Sophia Long, is residing with them. Big John Dick became one of his father's successors as Precentor in the First Islandmagee Presbyterian Church. Later in life they lived at Mountpleasant, Portmuck, Islandmagee.

  8. Mary Jane Dick, a daughter of Robert and Catherine Dick, was born about 1826. On March 5, 1847, she was married in the First Islandmagee Presbyterian Church to Samuel Arthurs, a full aged bachelor mariner of Cairnspindle, Islandmagee, born about 1817 whose father, James Arthurs, was also a mariner. One of the witnesses was John Arthurs. Samuel and Mary Jane Arthurs are remembered on a gravestone in the Ballypriormore graveyard which reads:
    ``Erected in loving memory of Samuel Arthurs who died 28th May 1887 aged 70 years. Also his son William John who died 22nd Octr. 1896 aged 41 years. Also his wife Mary Jane Arthurs who died 24th Decr. 1904 aged 78 years and his son James Arthurs who died 31st Decr. 1919 aged 72 years. Also his wife Isabella who died 10th Sept. 1920 aged 81 years.''
    In the 1901 Census, Mary Jane is recorded as living with a granddaughter Mary A. Ross in Mullaghboy. Mary Jane is listed as a housekeeper aged 76 and Mary Ross as a seamstress aged 17. The children of Samuel and Mary Jane Arthurs are listed below. Note that one daughter must have married a man named Ross for they had a daughter Mary A. Ross, born about 1883, who was living with her grandmother in Mullaghboy at the time of the 1901 Census.
    1. Jane Arthurs was born in Drumgurland on Mar.10, 1847, and was baptized on Apr.18, 1847.
    2. James Arthurs was born about 1848 and died on Dec.31, 1919. He is remembered in the above gravestone inscription. James married a woman named Isabella who was born about 1839 and died on Sep.10, 1920.
    3. Catherine Arthurs was born in Carnspindle on Jun.21, 1851, and was baptized on Jun.25, 1851. On May 8, 1878, Catherine Arthurs, daughter of Samuel Arthurs was married in the First Presbyterian Church, Islandmagee, to Robert Ross, a full-age bachelor mariner, of Islandmagee, the son of farmer Robert Ross.
    4. William John Arthurs was born in Carnspindle on May 4, 1853, and was baptized on May 14, 1853. He died on Oct.22, 1896, and is remembered in the above gravestone inscription. He may be the son who was known as Capt. Arthurs and who was associated with the Druids Altar, an ancient monument near Ballylumford.
    5. Sarah Arthurs was born in Mullaghboy on Jun.4, 1855, and was baptized on Jun.10, 1855. On Apr.22, 1881, Sarah Arthurs, daughter of Samuel Arthurs was married in the First Presbyterian Church, Islandmagee, to Robert Yeates, a full-age bachelor ship's carpenter, of Islandmagee, the son of boatbuilder William Yeates. We know of one child:
      1. Samuel Thomas Yeates was born on Apr.10, 1886, in 8 Dec St., Belfast, and baptized on May 29, 1886, in Islandmagee.
    6. Samuel Arthurs was born in Mullaghboy on Jan.16, 1858, and was baptized on Mar.22, 1858.
    7. Robert Thomas Arthurs was born in Mullaghboy on Jan.26, 1860, and was baptized on Feb.13, 1860. On Jan.16, 1891, in First Presbyterian Church, Islandmagee, he married Helen Orr from Carnspindle (father ?Orr). His father, Samuel, is listed as a farmer and Robert is listed as a master mariner.
    8. Jackson Nelson Arthurs was born in Mullaghboy on Aug.27, 1863, and was baptized on Oct.6, 1863.
    9. Mary Jane Arthurs was born in Mullaghboy on Sep.14, 1865, and was baptized on Sep.15, 1865.

  9. Catherine Dick was born in 1821, a daughter of Robert and Catherine Dick. She married James Ross, born about 1813, and they had two children. Catherine died Sep.24, 1892, aged 71 and James died May 18, 1891, aged 78. Their children:
    1. Thomas Ross was born about 1840 and died on Aug.2, 1862, aged 22.
    2. Alexander Ross was born about 1842 and married Margaret Johnston. They were both drowned at the age of 31 when the barque ``Alice M. Craig'' foundered on Mar.9, 1893. Alexander was the master of this ship which capsized at San Lorenza on a voyage from Rosario to Rio Grande do Sul. His wife Margaret had joined the ship at Antwerp from whence it sailed on Sep.1, 1892.
    3. Catherine Ross was born about 1843. On Jan.26, 1866, in Templecorran, County Antrim, she married John Cameron, born in 1841. They had a son:
      1. William Cameron was born on Feb.13, 1868, in County Antrim. He married Wilhelmina Hawthorne, born Dec.24, 1885, in County Antrim and they had six children:
        1. Thomas Cameron
        2. Margaret Cameron was born in 1905.
        3. James Allen Cameron was born on May 21, 1911 and died on Jul.22, 1985.
        4. Matilda English Cameron was born on Dec.12, 1913. She married James Ross and died on Mar.30, 2008.
        5. George Cameron was born on Jul.21, 1914 and died on Apr.24, 1985.
        6. Sarah Jane Cameron was born on Mar.9, 1917 and died in Carrickfergus on Feb.14, 2019.

  10. Margaret Dick was a daughter of Robert and Catherine Dick.

CHILDREN OF ROBERT DICK AND LETITIA DALE:

  1. Elizabeth Dick, ``Eliza'', was born in April 1837 and attended Kilcoan (lower) National School. She was a housekeeper in several large houses in southern Ireland. In her later years she was tall, erect and very kind. She lived in a corner house in Mullaghboy just a short distance from Ballymoney and next door to her brother James and his family. Although unmarried she had a daughter Carrie who was probably born in southern Ireland. Carrie married Tom McCormick and they lived for a time in Mullaghboy, Islandmagee. Eliza is listed in the 1911 Census as a 74-year-old living with Letitia and Margaret Earls in Mullaghboy, Islandmagee.

  2. James Dick, born about 1838, was a ship's carpenter who sailed around the world many times in sailing ships. He married Mary Bell, born about 1846. At the time of the birth of their son James Bell Dick in 1878 their home was in Ballydown, Islandmagee; three years later their son Robert was born in Dundressan. By the time of the 1901 Census they were living in Ballymoney, Islandmagee. However, they are remembered as living in a house next to Eliza Dick in Mullaghboy. James and Mary belonged to the Methodist church. Irene Calvert remembers that her great uncle Jamie taught her to play various card games and called her ``my wee casino''. She also remembers him reading the Odyssey and the Iliad over and over again in translation. Her great aunt Mary was very arthritic but did sewing with the help of a sewing machine. To pick up the pins Jamie made her a magnet attached to a stick which fascinated Irene. Eileen Gray recalls that he was very kind to the children, giving them rides in his wheelbarrow and making them wooden windmills. Leslie Jones still has some of Jamie's tools and a boat in a bottle which he made for him. Jamie and Mary had at least four children:
    1. James Bell Dick was born in Ballydown, Islandmagee, on Aug.20, 1878 with Mary Donald present at the birth. James Bell Dick must have died young for oral family history does not recall him.
    2. Jane Dick married and emigrated to Canada.
    3. Robert Dick was born on Feb.8, 1881, in Dundressan, Islandmagee with Ann Beattie of Drumagurland present. Robert married and emigrated to Canada.
    4. William Davis Dick, born about 1888, was in the Merchant Navy and was lost at sea in 1919.

  3. Robert Dick (1841-1925) was born in Nov. 1841 and attended Kilcoan (lower) National School. He was listed as a sailor residing in Ballymoney, Islandmagee, at the time of his marriage to Mary Ellen Bell (1838-1906). The wedding took place on Dec.28, 1869, in First Presbyterian Church, Islandmagee. Robert's father is listed as Robert Dick, carpenter; Mary Ellen is listed as of full age and of Ballylumford, Islandmagee, her father being Thomas Bell, a carpenter; the 1901 Census indicates that Mary Ellen was born in Larne. Both signed the certificate. James Dick and Mary Davies witnessed the marriage. Robert and Mary Ellen belonged to the Methodist church. In 1858, prior to her marriage, Mary Ellen Bell had been appointed the first principal of Kilcoan Female National School, a new venture by First Islandmagee Presbyterian Church who housed the school in the upper part of the existing Kilcoan National School. As a result of her efforts the school was very successful and she remained as the principal until her retirement in 1894. Her photograph appears in the History of Islandmagee. Among other things she taught Margaret Dick needlework. Mary Ellen's mother was probably the Margaret Bell who attended the birth of some of Mary Ellen's children. On the birth certificates of their children, their residence is listed as Ballymoney and Robert is listed as a mariner. By late 1871 their residence is given as Kilcoan, Islandmagee, and they are listed as resident in Kilcoanbeg in the 1901 Census. In later life Robert became the Postmaster in Islandmagee a position in which he was succeeded by his daughter Annie and later by his granddaughter, Annie. Robert died Aug. 4, 1925 and Mary Ellen on July 15, 1906 at the age of 69. They are buried in the Ballypriormore graveyard, Islandmagee, alongside their children Annie, Robert and Margaret. The gravestone also memorializes a Margaret Smyth of Larne who died on Dec.1, 1876, aged 74. This was probably Mary Ellen's mother who may have remarried. Robert and Mary Ellen had six sons and three daughters :
      Captain James Dick
    1. James Dick (1870-1922) was born Sep.11, 1870, in Ballymoney, Islandmagee. He obtained his captain's ticket and is listed as an unmarried mariner living with his parents in the 1901 Census. James went on to captain several vessels including the S.S. Manchester and the S.S. Sparta. James married Mary Lavinia Fearon. They had no children.
    2. Margaret Dick (1871-1950) was born on Nov.15, 1871, in Kilcoan, Islandmagee. Margaret Bell attended her birth. She died unmarried on Mar.9, 1950, and is buried in Ballypriormore graveyard, Islandmagee.
    3. Letitia Dick was born on May 23, 1873, in Kilcoan, Islandmagee. Margaret Bell attended the birth. Letitia married her father's cousin John Dick (see above). They are listed in the 1901 Census as residing in Mullaghboy. John and Letitia had five daughters:
      1. Annie Dick taught music (two of her pupils being Augusta and Sadie English) and played the organ in the Methodist church before her marriage. She married Joseph Sheriff (born 1903), the son of John Sheriff and Greta Allen from Glenarm. Annie succeeded her aunt as Postmistress for Islandmagee where, in later life, she was helped by her sister Kathleen. Until her death she was the organist in the First Islandmagee Presbyterian Church. Eileen Gray who was the organist in the Second Islandmagee Presbyterian Church recalls getting together the choirs of the two churches for musical events. After Annie's death the Islandmagee Post Office was closed and transferred nearer to Ballycarry; her husband lived in the old Post Office house until his death. A son of Joe and Annie married Lorna McDowell.
      2. Kathleen Dick married Harry Jones, now deceased. They had two daughters:
        1. Hazel Jones married Ronald Nelson and lives in Islandmagee.
        2. Elizabeth Jones married Tommy Smith and lives in Larne.
      3. Eileen Dick married a man named Erskine and had a daughter, Olive, who married a man named Nelson and lives in Larne.
      4. Frances Dick married a man named Ross and had five daughters and two sons. One son, Jackie, was lost at sea and one daughter, Eileen, is dead. Surviving children are Robert, Amy and Muriel (who married Charles Haggan and had a daughter Jennifer). Robert and several of his sisters still live in Islandmagee.
      5. Peggy Dick married a man named Niblock. They had a daughter who now lives in Belfast and a Downs Syndrome son.
    4. Robert Dick (1875-1930) was born in Kilcoan, Islandmagee, on May 9, 1875. Isabella Lewis was present at the birth. Robert obtained his captain's ticket and went to sea. He died unmarried on Jun.14, 1930, and is buried in Ballypriormore graveyard, Islandmagee.
    5. Annie Dick and Thomas Dick were twins born in Kilcoan, Islandmagee, on Dec.9, 1876. Thomas was born at 8.00pm and Annie half an hour later. Isabella Lewis was present at the birth. Thomas emigrated to South Africa and Kathleen Jones (see above) remembers newspapers being regularly mailed to him in Johannesburg. He remained unmarried. Annie Dick is listed as sub-postmistress and living with her parents in the 1901 Census. Later she became Postmistress in Islandmagee and died unmarried on July 19, 1929. She is buried in Ballypriormore graveyard, Islandmagee.
    6. John Dick was born in Kilcoan, Islandmagee, on Jan.18, 1878 with Eliza Ross present. He is listed as an unmarried mariner living with his parents in the 1901 Census. Later John married Agnes Heddes born about 1879 and they had three sons and two daughters listed below. John Dick obtained his captain's ticket and went to sea. He is buried in Ballypriormore graveyard along with his wife Agnes who died in 1931 aged 53 and his infant daughter Eileen who died in 1907 at the age of 18 months. His other children:
      1. William Dick, now deceased, married and lived in Whitehead. His two sons, Denis and James, live in Belfast.
      2. John (or Jack) Dick, now deceased, was married twice. His widow, Frances, lives in Whitehead.
      3. Robert Dick, now deceased, married and his widow lives in Whitehead. Their son, Tom Dick, lives in Edinburgh.
      4. Minnie Dick married James Kerr, now deceased. She now lives in Whitehead.
      5. Ena Dick married Alex Erskine and had three sons. They are now both deceased.
    7. Samuel Smyth Dick was born in Kilcoan, Islandmagee, on Aug.25, 1879, and emigrated to South Africa.

  4. Catherine Dick was born in Sept. 1840 and attended Kilcoan (lower) National School. She married William H. Stuart. Their children:
    1. Alexander Stuart.
    2. Catherine Stuart.

  5. John Dick was born in Jan. 1846 and attended Kilcoan (lower) National School. Although family legend recalls that he was married twice and that his first wife was Mary Davies the records suggest otherwise. In fact John was married three times. On Nov.7, 1867, John Dick, a bachelor mariner of full age according to the marriage certificate, was married in Ballycarry Presbyterian Church to Mary Yeates, a spinster of full age from Ballylumford, Islandmagee. John is recorded as being from Drumgurland, Islandmagee, his father Robert Dick being listed as a farmer. Mary's father, Robert Yeates, is listed as a boatbuilder. Robert and Maggie Dick were the witnesses to the marriage. John is listed as a ferryman on the birth certificate of his fifth child, Robert, in 1879. Mary gave birth to three children:
    1. William James Dick was born on Aug.27, 1868, in Ballylumford, Islandmagee. A Susanna Yeates, who may be Mary's mother, attended the birth. In the 1901 Census, William Dick, 31, is listed as living alone with his widowed aunt Isabella Yeates in Ballylumford. His occupation is given as boatbuilder.
    2. Robert Dick was born on Dec.14, 1869, in Ballydown, Islandmagee.
    3. Catherine Dick was born on Aug.25, 1871, in Ballydown, Islandmagee.
    It seems that Mary Yeates must have died sometime between 1871 and 1874 for in 1874 John Dick married his second wife Mary Davies and they had two children:
    1. Sarah Dick was born on Jun.19, 1876, in Ballylumford, Islandmagee. Sarah Templeton, a sister of Mary Davies who had married Jim Templeton, attended the birth. On the certificate the father, John, is listed as a sailor. Sarah married William Close and they had four children:
      1. William Close.
      2. John Close.
      3. Margaret Close.
      4. Minnie Close was drowned in the Princess Victoria disaster. She served as a stewardess aboard the ill-fated ferry which sank in the Irish Sea on Jan.31, 1953, with the loss of 128 lives.
    2. Robert Dick was born on Jan.12, 1879, in Ballylumford, Islandmagee. Jane Davies attended the birth. On the birth certificate his father, John, is listed as a ferryman. And, in the 1901 Census, a Robert Dick, 21 and a Methodist, is listed as a ferryman living as a boarder in the home of Alexander English in Ballylumford, the father of the Alexander English who married Minnie Dick, the daughter of Hugh and Priscilla Dick (see earlier in the chapter). The wife of Alexander English the elder was Sarah formerly Davies who was Robert Dick's cousin. It is remembered that Sarah English used to have a house at the Ballylumford ferry which had a tin shack at the rear. Sarah herself would move to his shack when she let out the house to summer holiday makers. Perhaps Robert was occupying this shack. Later Robert married his cousin Catherine Dick who was a nurse; they had no children.
    John's second wife Mary (formerly Davies) must have died shortly after the birth of her last child for John was married for a third time to Mary Kane with whom he had six more children listed below. Family legend remembers that John is also reputed to have impregnated Margaret English at about the same time as he impregnated Mary Kane. Though Margaret English is remembered as the best looking woman in Islandmagee at the time, John decided to marry Mary Kane. Both children were born in 1881 and, strangely Margaret English called her daughter Mary while Mary Dick (formerly Kane) called her daughter Margaret. It seems possible that John supported both women for a while. Margaret eventually left the country but her daughter Mary was reared in Islandmagee and married a man called Thompson who owned and operated a home bakery at the top of Main Street in Larne. There was at least one child of this marriage, Molly Thompson. Mary Thompson died in 1975 at the age of 94. One footnote to this story; Jerome Magee of Oakland, California, has told us of his great grandmother, Elizabeth English, who was born on Feb.27, 1842, in Islandmagee, and married Thomas Magee in New York on Feb.29, 1864. Elizabeth's sister Margaret who was born in Ireland on Apr.22, 1840, came to live with her sister and brother-in-law in San Francisco in 1856(?) where she died on May 31, 1918. Whether this is the same Margaret English is not known at this time but the date of arrival in San Francisco would suggest that she is not. John Dick must have died shortly before 1900 for the census of 1901 records that resident in a house in Ballylumford were a widow, Mary Dick, aged 47 and a housekeeper, along with two sons, Thomas aged 10 and William J. aged 5, and a daughter, Mary E., aged 7. John Dick's children by his third wife:
    1. Margaret Dick, who was mentioned above, was born in 1881 and died unmarried.
    2. James Dick drowned.
    3. Letitia Dick died young.
    4. Thomas Dick was born about 1891 and became a carpenter. He never married.
    5. Mary E. Dick was born about 1894 and did not marry. She is remembered as a ``real targe'' or shrew.
    6. William J. Dick was born about 1896. He owned a schooner called the ``Maggie May'' and brought coal into the dock at the ferry and also to Mill Bay for Tommy Grey. William became a harbourmaster in Ayr, Scotland, and married a woman from that town. They had a daughter Myrtle Dick.

  6. Thomas Dick was born in Mar. 1850 and attended Kilcoan (lower) National School. On Apr.17, 1877, in the Islandmagee Methodist Church, Thomas Dick, a bachelor mariner aged 27, the son of carpenter Robert Dick, was married to Jemima Woodhouse Tyrrell, a 20-year-old spinster from Ballylumford, the daughter of Peter Tyrrell, a lighthouse keeper (Peter's son Robert was also a lighthouse keeper). The witnesses were Peter Tyrrell and James Milliken and the Rev. E. DeCourcy presided. Tom and Jemima adopted one child:
    1. Georgie Dick married J. Winter.

  7. Margaret Dick (1851-1893), our ancestor, was the seventh child of Robert and Letitia Dick. She was born on Nov.14, 1851 and attended Kilcoan (lower) National School. She married James Earls (1837-1922) of Islandmagee and died on Aug.23, 1893.

Christopher E. Brennen