Introduction
There are several Lees families connected with Dunloy Presbyterian Church, the townland of Drumadarragh in Killagan, and the bordering areas of the parishes of Loughguile, Kilraghts and Finvoy.
I have identified shared groups of DNA matches between two of these families: 1) the family of William McGeachie / McCaughy who married Mary Ann Lees and 2) the family of John Smiley / Smylie who married Jane Lees. Descendants from both of these families also match DNA with Lees descendants from the Edinburgh area, Scotland, as well as from Tamlaght O’Crilly, Co. Londonderry.
A third family is also connected to the same church and townland. However, DNA matches between it and the above families have yet to be identified:
– Margaret Lees married John McCaughey (dates of birth and death both unknown)
Earliest generation
Oliver Lees (born c1778 Ireland, died Mar 1847 Edinburgh, Scotland) had a number of children born to at least two different women in Scotland in the 1820s, 1830s and 1840s. It is deduced that he had an earlier wife in Ireland by whom he had at least the following two children, both connected to Dunloy Presbyterian Church and the townland of Drumadarragh:
– Jane Lees (born c1804 Ireland, died 19 Dec 1890 Loughguile, Co. Antrim, Ireland), married John Smylie / Smiley
– Mary Ann Lees (born c1809 Ireland, died 1 Jan 1857 Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland), married William McGeachie / McCaughey
Note that the surname McCaughey / McGeachie is not simple to research. I have found it recorded under many different spellings including McGechie, McGechy, McGeachy, McGachie, McGeachin, McGechan, McGahey, McCahey, McKaghy, McGaughey, McAughey, McCaughy, McCaghy, McCaffery, McAffery, Gechie, and Geachie! It derives from the Gaelic name Mac Eachaidh which can also be anglesized as Caughey, McHaughey or McKeachie. I have tried to be thorough and consider all variants, but it may be that I have missed some records.
William McGeachie (d. bef. 1851) & Mary Ann Lees (c.1809-1859) – from Killagan, Co. Antrim to Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland
Mary Ann Lees was born abt 1809 Ireland and married William McGeachie / McCaughy sometime before 1839. Mary died on 1 January 1857 in Irvine, Ayrshire, her age registered as 45 years. She was recorded as the daughter of Oliver Lees, Yarn Bleacher, mother’s name left blank. (I deduce her year of birth from her age as recorded on the 1856 Irvine poor assessment roll)
The couple had three known children:
– Elizabeth McGeachie, born 1 Nov 1839 (recorded as Elizabeth McCaughy), baptized 19 Jun 1842 at Dunloy Presbyterian church in the parish of Finvoy, Co. Antrim. She had several illegitimate children born to different men. Elizabeth later married Robert Howe in 1880 and died in 1901 Irvine, Ayrshire.
– Jane McGeachie, born 1 Nov 1841 (birth recorded as Jane McCaughy) baptized 19 Jun 1842 at Dunloy Presbyterian church in the parish of Finvoy, Co. Antrim. She had two illegitimate children and later married Henry Orr, a Coal Miner originally of Newtownards, Co. Down. She died 1909 Irvine, Ayrshire.
– John McGeachie, b. abt 1844 Ireland. Married Mary Kerr 30 Jul 1863 Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. No definitive record of them found after that date, suggesting they may have emigrated.
The mother’s maiden name was not recorded in the Dunloy baptism records, however, due to the multiple DNA matches with Smiley descendants who were baptized in the same church, I deduce that they are the correct records. Also Elizabeth‘s and Jane‘s ages match with later Scottish census records as do the parents’ names William and Mary Ann.
A Mary Ann is recorded within several of the Irvine Royal Burgh records:
Whitsunday [11 May] 1851 to Whitsunday [10 May] 1852
No. 94/4, Mrs. McGeachie, Widow, High Street, Irvine,
– Amount Assessed on as Tenant or Occupant: £2;0;0
– Amount of Assessment as Tenant or Occupant: £0;2;0
(poor assessment roll, Film No. 8099605, Image No. 260)
No. 10, Application 13 Aug 1856 at 1pm, Maryann McGeachy, High Street, born Ireland, Widow, 47 years, Hawker.
Dependant: John McGeachy, 12 years
Applies in consequence of being in bad health. States that she has resided in this parish since May 1851. At present selling herring. Appears to be in her usual health. Relieved 13 Aug 1856.
(poor assessment roll, Film No. 8099604, Image No. 54)
No. 50, Application 25 Dec 1856 at 10 am, Maryann McGeachie, High Street, born Scotland, Inspector’s Visit of Home: 25 Dec 1856 at 1pm, Widow, aged 47, Wholly able
(poor assessment roll, Film No. 8099604, Image No. 67)
Here is the family as they appear on the 1851 census: (Source: FreeCEN)
Address: Fullarton Street, Dundonald
Surname First name(s) Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Where Born
GECHIE Mary Head W F 50 Hawker Of Small Wares Ireland
GECHIE Elizabeth Dau – F 11 Scholar Ireland
GECHIE Jane Dau – F 10 Scholar Ireland
GECHIE John Son – M 6 Scholar Ireland
SMITH John Lodger M M 28 Agricultural Labourer Ireland
SMITH Jane Lodger M F 23 Muslin Sewer Ireland
SMITH Susan Lodger – F 1 Ayrshire – Kilbirnie
John Smiley or Smylie (c.1799-1873) & Jane Lees (c.1804-1890) of Drumadarragh townland, parish of Killagan, Co. Antrim
I have so far identified DNA matches between descendants of five of this couple’s children with descendants of William McGeachie & Mary Ann Lees and descendants of Oliver Lees of Edinburgh. As of May 2025, my aunt and my father each have 10 or more DNA matches with Smiley descendants from this line.
The Smiley family appear to have long been connected to Drumadarragh, as there are leases dated 28 August 1790 and 14 April 1797 from a William Smiley, of Drumadarragh, Grange of Killagan, to a Thomas Smith, regarding a parcel of land in the townland. (references D2868/C/11 & /18 at PRONI)
A tithe payer by the name of John Smylie was recorded in Drumadarragh, Killagan, Co. Antrim on 31 Jul 1832 as holding 7;0;28 acres (Irish plantation). This converts to around 11;2;20 statute acres. This seems likely to be the correct family, but we cannot know for sure.
There’s a deed dated 3 March and registered 13 Oct 1853 recording an indenture of lease between John Smiley and Robert Patterson, both of Drumadarragh, Co. Antrim, Farmers. John Smiley demised 2 acres Cunningham of land occupied by Robert Patterson onto him (around 2;2;4 statute acres). The land is described as bounded on the Nord by John Smiley, on the East by Killagan water course, on the North by Widow Smith and on the West by the leading road from Ballymena to Dervock.
John Smiley was born about 1799 and worked as a Labourer. He died on 8 Sep 1873 at Drumadarragh. His cause of death was recorded as “debility 9 months”. The informant was Jane Harbison nee Lees, residing at Drummadarragh. This was his daughter who married James Herbison in 1872.
Jane Lees was born about 1804. She likely married John Smiley in about 1828 and had at least 12 children by him. Jane died on 19 Dec 1890 at Ballyportery. Her cause of death was recorded as “debility, two months”. The informant was Hugh Smylie, residing at Ballyportery. This Hugh was born c.1834 according to his death record and is presumed to be another son.
I was able to identify 9 children baptized to John Smylie and Jane Lees at Dunloy Presbyterian Church, Finvoy Parish, Co. Londonderry, as well as 2 additional children through DNA matches and 1 child deduced from clues:
– Mary Ann Smylie, born abt. 1829, married William John Smiley on 9 Sep 1850 at Dunloy Presbyterian Church before witnesses George Gray and Thomas Smiley. The couple had at least 3 children. I have not been able to find the death record of either of them in Ireland or Scotland. The William Smyly who married Nancy Lamont in 1891 seems likely to be a 4th son.
– Agnes or Nancy Smylie, born abt. 1832, married Samuel McLaughlin on 6 Feb 1854 at Ballyweaney Presbyterian Church before witnesses Hugh Richmond and William J. Smyth. The couple had a number of children. She died on 25 Sep 1896 at Lislabin, Loughguile.
– Hugh Smylie, born abt. 1834, married Nancy McKennon (recorded as Nancy Cunning) in 24 Jan 1856 at 2nd Ballymoney Presbyterian Church. The couple had at least 5 children. After Nancy‘s death, Hugh remarried Jane Gregg on 15 Aug 1892 at Dunloy Presbyterian Church. Hugh died on 5 Aug 1912 at Ballyweeny, Loughguile.
– Margaret Smilie, born 6 Apr 1836, baptized 27 Jul 1842, no further record of her found.
– Oliver Smilie, born 4 May 1838, baptized 27 Jul 1842, first married Ellen Black on 15 May 1860 at Ballymoney Register’s Office before witnesses Alex Douglas and James Peters. Oliver worked as a Pawnbroker in Belfast and he and his wife resided at 101 Snugville Street. Ellen died on 6 Mar 1893 of bronchitis afterwhich and Oliver apparently returned to live in his home area. He married Jane Creelman on 25 Jul 1900 at Ballyweaney Presbyterian Church before witnesses James Richards and Maria H. Smylie. Neither marriage appears to have resulted in any offspring. Oliver died on 5 Mar 1930.
– Eliza Smilie, born 27 Apr 1840, baptized 27 Jul 1842, married Ezekiel Maitland on 5 Feb 1863 at Ballymoney Register’s Office before witnesses William S. Barr and William D. Dunsmore. The couple had a number of children. Ezekiel died in 1905 after which Eliza emigrated to Wisconsin, USA. In 1910 she was living with the family of her daughter, Mrs. Catherine Atkinson. Eliza likely died before 1920 as she cannot be found on the 1920 census.
– Jane Smilie, born 6 Jun 1842, baptized 27 Jul 1842, likely died young
– William John Smiley, born 1 Aug 1844, baptized 1 Oct 1844, married Bridget McCarey 16 May 1878. The couple had 4 children, one of which died young. This was an interfaith marriage, as Bridget was Catholic. William died sometime after 1915.
– Samson Smylie, born 1 May 1845, baptized 25 Jun 1851 [transcribed as “Sapson?” by CausewayFHS]. He first emigrated to Scotland, where he married Eliza Jane McKee on 1 Jan 1872 at Port Glasgow before witnesses William McKee and Charles Elliott. The groom is recorded as the son of John Smiley & Jane Lees and the bride as the daughter of Samuel McKee & Elizabeth Lees. (The 1911 census gives Eliza McKee‘s place of birth as Coleraine, suggesting she was related to the apparently unrelated Lees families from that town.) The family soon emigrated to Durham, England before 1876 and Samson died there in 1916.
– Jane Smylie, born Jun 1847, baptized 25 Jun 1851, married James Harbison / Herbertson on 13 May 1872 at Dunloy Presbyterian Church before witnesses John Smylie and James Patterson. The couple had at least 9 children. They moved to Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland around 1876, where Jane died on 15 Jul 1938.
– James Lees Smylie, born 15 May 1851, baptized 25 Jun 1851, no further record of him found.
– Matthew Smylie, born 15 May 1851, baptized 25 Jun 1851, no further record of him found.
Mother Jane‘s surname is not recorded in any of the above baptisms, but I deduce that she was Jane Lees, as:
- son James born in 1851 has Lees as a middle name.
- Samson is rare as a forename, Smylie is an uncommon surname, and Samson‘s place of birth according to the 1911 census, Kilraughts, bordered the townlands of Dunloy and Drumaddaragh.
- The couple also had a son called Oliver, another uncommon name in Ireland.
I deduce that Jane Lees was a sister of the Mary Ann Lees who married William McGeachie and another daughter of Oliver Lees.
John McCaughey and Margaret Lees, presumably of Drumadarragh, Killagan
John McCaughey was a Farmer. A tithe payer by that name was recorded in Drumadarragh, Killagan, Co. Antrim on 31 Jul 1832 as holding 9;2;11 acres (Irish plantation). This converts to around 15;2;0 statute acres. I would assume this to be the family. The closest match in Griffith’s valuation from c1861 is the 15;0;30 acres of land in Drumadarragh held by William McGuckian from George Moore.
I have not been able to find any further primary record for John or Margaret. I deduce that they either died before 1864, moved within Ireland or emigrated. The couple had three known children:
1) Jane McCaughey (c.1821-1886) who married Alexander Montgomery, a Shoemaker, on 8 Nov 1839 at Kilraughts Presbyterian Church before witnesses Betty Hay and William Hay. The couple had at least 4 children in Ireland before moving to Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland around 1847-1848, where they had 2 more children. In Scotland her surname is occasionally spelled McGeachie or McGeachin. Alexander likely died on 11 Aug 1850 (he is not the Alexander Montgomerie who was buried 18 Dec 1850 at Dundonald, as that person was a child. An Alexander Montgomerie, aged 47, died 11 Aug 1850 and was buried in Irvine. This is assumed to be the correct death record). Jane died on 27 Feb 1886 in Kelvin, Glasgow. The informant was her son Robert Montgomery. Her death certificate records her as the daughter of John McAughley, Farmer (deceased) and Margaret McAughley, Ms. Lees (deceased).
2) Margaret McCaughey (c.1825-aft.1881) also known as Peggy married James Patterson, a Cooper, on 4 Jan 1848 at Dunloy Presbyterian Church before witnesses Joseph Morrison & John Patterson. She was recorded as residing at Drumadarragh, the daughter of John McCaghy, Farmer. No record gives her mother’s name, it is however deduced that it was Margaret Lees. The couple had 5 children recorded in the baptisms at Dunloy Presbyterian between 1851-1866 and a 2 more recorded in civil registration in 1867 and 1869. Son Thomas Patterson‘s birth was registered in 1855 Irvine, Scotland however, so it appears that the family may have moved back and forth between Ireland and Scotland. In 1866-1867 the family was recorded as living in the townland of Knockaholet, Loughguile. In 1869 the family was now living in the townland of Glenbuck, Rasharkin. According to a published family history they had more children though. This family also appears to have lived in Irvine, Ayrshire for a while, as James Patterson died there on 26 Aug 1880 and wife Margaret Patterson nee McCaughey and 4 of her children are recorded in two households there in the census taken 3 Apr 1881. Margaret appears to have emigrated to the USA later that year, arriving in New York on on 9 Nov 1881 abroad the Scythia along with daughters Margaret, Mary, Jane & Annie. Most of the family seem to have settled in the state of Oregan. I have not managed to find a death record for Margaret McCaughy. Curiously, the surname is spelled McCaffery in American records.
3) Sarah McCaughey (c.1836-1918), also known as “Saly“, married John Dunbar on 9 Oct 1856 at Dunloy Presbyterian Church before witnesses William Carl and John Patterson. She was recorded as residing at Drumadarragh, the daughter of John McCaghy, Farmer. The couple had 5 known children, three of which were baptized at Dunloy Presbyterian. In 1866 the family were residing in Ballynaloob, and from 1868-1873 in Broughanor. Sometime before 1881 the family moved to Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland. John Dunbar worked there as a Chemical Worker. In the 1891 census, the family was living at 48 Montgomery Street, Irvine, in the household next to that of Jane Herbison, nee Smylie, daughter of John Smylie & Jane Lees. John Dunbar died 4 May 1898 in Irvine. He is recorded as the son of William Dunbar, Farmer, and Isabella Dunbar, Ms. Lees, both deceased. The informant of the death was son Hugh Dunbar. Assuming John‘s mother’s maiden name is actually correct, it is unknown if or how this other Lees might be related. Sarah died on 9 Mar 1918 in Glasgow. The informant was her son-in-law Robert McArthur. Her death certificate records her as the daughter of John McCaghy, Farmer (deceased) and Margaret McCaghy, Ms. Lees (deceased).
Other families
The following records are of other Lees based in the same area. At this stage it is not known if or how they might be related.
James Lees BARR, son of William BARR & Saly was born 4 Apr 1861 and baptized 25 Oct 1861 at Dunloy Presbyterian Church.
A William S. Barr was a witness to the 5 Feb 1863 marriage of Eliza Smylie and Ezekiel Maitland. According to a death notice in the The Londonderry Sentinel published 28 July 1863, William S. Barr died on 24 Jul 1863 at the residence of his son, Green Cottage, Ballymoney, aged 45 years.
On 30 Aug 1864 a William Scott Barr, residing at Londonderry, the son of William Scott Barr, Foreman (cutter?), married Ellen Williamson at Ballymoney Parish Church. (the William Barr of Londonderry, who married Sarah Ann Cochran 13 Aug 1846 at Moville Parish Church, Co. Donegal does not appear to be the correct family).
–
Married 28 Dec 1865, Ballymoney Registrar’s Office
Groom: Hugh LEES, 30 years, Bachelor, Labourer
Residence: Killagan, Parish of Killagan
Father: John LEES, Labourer
Bride: Nancy STEWART, of full age, Spinster
Residence: Ballyweeny, Parish of Loughguile
Father: Archibald STEWART, Farmer
Witnesses: John HUSTON, Michael DUFFIN
I have not been able to find any further record of this family.
–
During my research of records in Irvine I came across another Irish Mary McGeachie. It is not known whether she is related any of the other families, but I include her here for possible future reference. Interesting is her son Samuel‘s middle name Montgomery, though for now I can’t yet say whether this demonstrates a connection to the family of Alexander Montgomery and Jane McCaughey.
On 8 Jun 1846, Samuel Montgomery McKenzie, son of Samuel McKenzie and Mary McGeachie, was baptized in Irvine. The child was born out of wedlock and the case is recorded by the Irvine Kirk Session.
Irvine, June 1st 1848 […]
Compeared Mary M’Geachie confessing the sin
of fornication with Samuel M’Kenzie. She had
in her possession a letter from him acknowledg-
ing the paternity of the child. She was rebuked
by the moderator and ordered to appear again.
Irvine, September 18, 1848 […]
Compeared Mary M’Geachie in terms of former
minute. She was again solemnly rebuked by the
moderator and the session considering her repentance
to be sincere, she was absolved from the scandal.
This appears to be the family on the 1851 census, with Mary a widow, having apparently married someone by the name of Welch.
1851 Address: High Street, Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland
| MCPHILEMY | Margaret | Head | W | F | 60 | Seamstress | Ireland | – | ||
| MCPHILEMY | Margaret | Dau | U | F | 21 | Muslin Flowerer | Ireland | – | ||
| WELCH | Mary Ann | Lodger | W | F | 26 | Muslin Flowerer | Ireland | – | ||
| MCKENZIE | Samuel | Lodger | U | M | 4 | Ayrshire | Irvine | |||
| WELCH | Mary Ann | Lodger | U | F | 2 | Ayrshire | Dalry | |||
| WELCH | William | Lodger | U | M | 1m | Ayrshire | Irvine |
Samuel McKenzie married Flora McCallum on 7 Jun 1872 at Campbeltown, Argyllshire. His mother Mary McGeachy is then recorded as deceased.
I have not been able to find any birth, marriage or death record for any of the Welch other than the burial of a William Welsh, 2 years old, who died 14 Feb 1853 and was buried 16 Feb 1853 in Irvine.