Fergus(s)on DNA Project

Fergusons of Growell, Co. Down

The Fergusons of Growell could trace their family in Ireland back to the Plantations from Scotland some two hundred years previously, and they were proud of their long standing in the area.
[Colin Fraser, Tractor Pioneer, 1974

James Ferguson

Grandfather of Harry Ferguson (1884-1960) of tractor fame; see Harry Ferguson Memorial.com

James FERGUSON, farmer, deceased before 1 Jul 1879
[probably James FERGUSON b. 1818, d. 5 Mar 1871; m. Eliza; see SMYTH in Drumlough Presbyterian Graveyard; children named in will: James, Thomas, Jane, Agnes, Elizabeth]
[It appears that James married twice, a MCCLELLAND prior to 1847 and Eliza SYMTH after 1849]
- Jane FERGUSON b. 8 Jan 1847, Loughaghry Presby d/o James FERGUSON & MCCLELLAND
- Agnes FERGUSON b. 18 Feb 1849, Loughaghry Presby d/o James FERGUSON & MCCLELLAND
- James FERGUSON b.~ 1850/1; m. Mary (Minnie) BELL 1 Jul 1879, Parish Church Newry, Co Down; d. 27 Apr 1937
  1. Joseph Bell FERGUSON b. 24 May 1880 Growell; d. 28 Dec 1967, New York NY
    - Joseph Bell "JB" FERGUSON
      - >>Joseph Clarence Ferguson
    - Bruce M. b. 22 Oct 1922; d. Oct 1993, New York, NY
  2. James Patterson FERGUSON b. Jun 18 1881; d. 22 May 1954
  3. Margaret "Maggie" Elizabeth FERGUSON b. May 19 1883; d. 10 Jan 1909
  4. Henry George "Harry" FERGUSON b. 4 Nov 1884, Growell, Co Down; d. 25 Oct 1960, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, ENG; m. Mary (Maureen) Adelaide WATSON, Newry, Co. Down, 1913
    - Elizabeth M., b.1920; m. Anthony SHELDON, Dec 1950, Westminster
  5. Mary Agnes FERGUSON b. 1st quarter, 1886, district of Lisburn (vol 1 p 61);
  6. Norman Priestly FERGUSON b. Mar 3, 1888; d. 4 Jul 1940
  7. William Edwin Persis FERGUSON b. Oct 27 1890; d. 23 May 1959
  8. Sarah Ludley Agnew (Sadie) FERGUSON b. Aug 26 1891; d. 4 Apr 1920
  9. John Victor Stanley FERGUSON b. Sep 2 1893; d. 25 Aug 1935
  10. Edgar McKnight FERGUSON b. Jul 16 1896; d. 7 Dec 1943 Newark, NJ
  11. Hugh Fisher FERGUSON b. Nov 28 1903; d. 18 Dec 1943
- Eliza (Elizabeth) FERGUSON b. Apr 4 1852
- Thomas FERGUSON b. May 2, 1854, Loughaghry Presbyterian; m. Hannah E. (Eleanor, Ellen) JAMISON Sep 21, 1881, Dromore 1st Presbyterian
  - William Henry FERGUSON b.~1885, Co Down
  - Thomas John FERGUSON b. 26 May 1888 Ballykeel, Dromore, County Down; d. 8 Sep 1968 Newton, Middlesex, MA
    - >>Thomas John Ferguson
  - James FERGUSON b.~1890, Co Down
  - Mabel FERGUSON b.~1893, Co Down
  - Albert FERGUSON b.~1896, Co Down

Drumlough Presbyterian Graveyard

[In low-walled enclosure with SMYTH stone]. In affectionate remembrance of James FERGUSON of Growell who departed this life 5th March 1871 age 53 years. Erected by his widow and children. Also his infant son James. Also his beloved wife Eliza FERGUSON who died 11th Aug. 1888 aged 74 yrs.
[Modern stone with the above]. In loving memory of James FERGUSON of Growell, died 27th April, 1937. And of his wife Mary Bell FERGUSON, died 15th June, 1934. And of their children:- Margaret died 10th Jan. 1909; Sarah died 4th April, 1920; Victor died 25th Aug. 1935, the result of an accident; Edgar died 7th Dec. 1943 in Newark, N.J. USA., Hugh died 18th Dec. 1943 in New York., U.S.A., James died 22nd May 1954; William died 23rd May 1959; Norman died 4th July, 1940; Harry died 25th October, 1960; Joseph died 28th December, 1967.

Probate

The Will of James Ferguson late of Growell County Down Farmer deceased who died 5 March 1871 at same place was proved at Belfast by the oaths of Francis Moore of Magheraconluce Farmer John Ruddock of Growell Farmer and Eliza Ferguson of Growell Widow all in (Dromara) said County the Executors.
Ferguson James of Growell Dromore county Down farmer died 27 April 1937 at Ballyellough Magheragall Lisburn county Antrim Probate Belfast 5 December to Robert Ferguson and Samuel Smyth farmers. Effects £40

Plymouth Brethren

The will of James FERGUSON mentions the names RUDDOCK, MOORE and he is buried with his wife amongst the SYMTHE. A common denominator amongst these names is the Plymouth Brethren.

"The Ruddocks at Growell were part of the Plymouth Brethren movement which started in the 1820’s in Ireland and England. This would account for the unusually high number of marriages recorded at the Registrars’ offices rather than in the mainstream churches, since Brethren would not have been licensed to conduct marriages. It may also mean that some events are not recorded at all, especially those prior to the start of civil registration (1845 for marriages, 1864 for births and deaths). " [The Ruddock Family in Growell
"At that time the late James Ferguson had a vacant cottage, which he offered to the believers for conversion into a meeting place. This they did by removing the middle wall and fitting a new floor and ceiling. At the end of the building was a part known as the Turf House. It was in this house that the first Sunday School was started over 80 years ago. One of the first teachers in the school was Mr. John Ruddock who was the grandfather of John Ruddock now labouring as a missionary in Honduras. The present ‘tailor’ Smyth, already referred to, went to Sunday School in this very building. Mr. Smyth is now in his ninetieth year. Praise God that the work among the young, started over 80 years ago, still continues until the present time." [Growell Gospel Hall]

David Ferguson

Courtesy of Robert Herbert Ferguson

David FERGUSON, a farmer from Growell of the Dromore parish; d. 23 March 1878
- John FERGUSON b. 17 May 1830, Growell, Down; m. 1870
- William FERGUSON b. 02 Jun 1832, Growell, Drumlough Presbyterian; m. Agnes Nancy PATTERSON Nov 15 1861 Cargycreevy Presbyterian Parish
  - Robert Herbert FERGUSON b. 1888 Belfast; m. Doris Margurette CHILDS, 02 May 1920, Owosso, Shiawassee, MI
    - >>Robert Herbert FERGUSON
- Jane FERGUSON b. 05 Mar 1835, Growell, Down
- Thomas FERGUSON b.~1845, Co Down; m. 1870
  - Agnes b.~1884
- Robert FERGUSON m. 1876
- James FERGUSON
- Samuel FERGUSON b.~1851, Down; m. Mary Jane MCCONE, 15 Aug 1879, Drumlough
  - William 12 Dec 1879, Drumlough, Co. Down
  - Jane Eliza b. 1891, Co. Down
  - Samuel J b.~1898; Co. Down

Probate

Administration (with the Will) of the estate of David FERGUSON late of Growell County Down Farmer who died 23 March 1878 granted at Belfast to Samuel FERGUSON Farmer
The will for David Ferguson included that he bequeathed part of his estate to his son David of Growell, William of Greenock, Scotland, James and Thomas. And divided the farm, houses and equipment between the three sons that were living with him: John, Robert and Samuel of Growell and Samuels daughter Jane

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