Facts and traditions collected for a family record

104
FACTS AND TRADITIONS.
the neighbouring parish of Balmaghie, for unsound views of Church
government.
Another contemporary in the parish of Kirkmichael, in Carrick,
joined the Covenanters at the battle of Bothwell Bridge, was made
prisoner, and suffered martyrdom by a cruel death.
There is, therefore, every reason to believe, that not only John, in
Beoch, but also his father and other relations, suffered persecution, and
that not for a few days, but for many years ; and that tradition has
somewhat changed the account of these sufferings into a more recent
form, namely, that of hiding in the woods.
There is some difficulty in forming a correct opinion as to the time
when the M'Connells first came to Galloway, but there is evidence to
shew that James M'Connell of Creoches was there in a.d. 1640. Before
this date, there is no trace of any of the name in Galloway.
There are two important points of view, both supported by reasonable
grounds, from which to look at this subject : —
First, On the hypothesis that the M'Connells migrated from the north-
east of Ireland to Galloway.
Secondly, That the M'Connells migrated from Ayrshire to Galloway.
In support of the first of these views, we know that several Scotch
families migrated from the north-east of Ireland to Galloway and Ayr-
shire, A.D. 1638 and 1639, on account of the persecutions in the former,
and on account of the Black Oath, the signing of which was enforced
upon those who remained in Ireland. We know also that the district
of Galloway where some of these M'Connells lived was supplied by
covenanting ministers who had been expelled from Ireland. Mary
M'Konnel, also, cousin to Dame Kutherfurd, was a staunch Covenanter,
a.d. 1640. We do not know, however, that she was in any way con-
nected with Galloway.
On the other hand, James M'Connell of Creoches, A.D. 1640, was