Facts and traditions collected for a family record

COLLATION OF FACTS. 105
cited for not subscribing of the general band, and therefore did not
sympathise with the general movement of taking up arms in support of
the National Covenant.
There is, therefore, no evidence to shew that any M'Connell migrated
from Ireland to Galloway.
True, my father, during the later years of his life, had some idea that
his ancestors had come from Ireland to Galloway, after finding that there
were many other families of the same name near Belfast. This idea
was probably encouraged by his agents in Glasgow and Belfast. Still,
during the earlier portion of his life, before he left Scotland, and whilst
living among his own relations, his impressions had always been that
his family owed their origin to the Highlanders. It does not appear
that he had the slightest idea, until a later period, that they had been
connected with Ireland ; and even then he could not divest himself of
the earlier impressions, which he retained till his death.
There are many circumstances which give support to the second view
— That the M'Connells came to Galloway from Ayrshire.
1. The families of that name are very numerous, commencing with
John Makconnell, scripture-reader in 1571, and extending from Paisley
to Ayr, Kirkoswald, and the parishes of Kirkmichael, Straiton, Barr,
Dalmellington, on the borders of Carrick and contiguous to Galloway,
from A.D. 1600 to 1700. In Dalmellington, especially, the records are
very clear; and as mention is made in the session records, 1641, of
Patrick M'Quhonnell or M'Connell being appointed as officer,
probably church-officer, we may readily presume that he was son of
John Makconnell, scripture-reader, and had that post given him out of
respect to his father. There was also Alexander M'Connell, a wealthy
burgess in Ayr, who died before A.D. 1627.
2. The distance from Dalmellington, Straiton, or Barr, to Beoch, is not
more than thirty miles, and the communication between these and other