The Kintyre Forum

Hi Everyone,

Just curious if anyone has any information or knows where I can find information on Spratt's & Durnan's who came to Campbeltown from Co. Fermanagh in Ireland.

My 4xGG was Thomas Spratt, son of Thomas Spratt & Rose Durnan, born c.1803 in Fermanagh, potentially an area called Magheraculmany. Could be a connection to a Michael & Patrick Durnan who were also from Magheraculmany, and lived in Campbeltown.

Thanks

Keelan

Hi Keelan…, welcome to the Kintyre Forum.

I don’t have much time so I can’t do any research for you. However, you might like to read the following.
This was some research I did in relation to my MacArthur and Black family. (and a distant Durnin who lived in 53 Longrow, next to my Grandmother)
My 1st cousin 1x removed provided me with the following. Durnin Campbeltown with Fermanagh roots…, could be worth looking in to.

Kind Regards…, Iain.

-------------------

DURNAN/DURNIN/DURNIAN.
BONNAR/BONNER
NEWLANDS
BLACK
MacARTHUR

'MacLysaght' gives the anglicised spellings Durnin and Durnian, which was the latter old spoken form in south Kintyre, though never so written.
Two families of the name settled in Campbeltown, both of Co. Fermanagh origin and very probably related.
- l. Michael D, military pensioner, born c. 1786, the son of Michael D and Nancy McLennan. His wife was Catherine Ward, daughter of Frank W, gardener. They settled in Campbeltown c. 1836. In 1851, their family, living with them in Bolgam Street, was Mary (24), John (23), labourer, Michael (16), fisherman - all born in Co. Fermanagh - and Francis (13) and Charles (9), both born in Campbeltown. In 1863 Michael applied for poor relief. His wife was then bedridden and he was receiving an army pension of 6d daily.
- 2. John D, day labourer, born c. 1791 in the parish of Macheramonagh, son of Patrick D, soldier, and Catherine McGuire. He was married twice. His first wife, Bridget Stephen, was Irish-born and died c. 1854 in Campbeltown. His second wife was Eliza Bonnar or Bonner, 25.1.1823 at Pans, daughter of James B, glazier. Three of his family are known: John - born Co. Fermanagh by the first marriage - Charles (14.8.62) and Janet (2.5.65), both by the second marriage and in Campbeltown. The first boat-owner of the name was Michael, son of Michael. In 1869, he had the smack Sarah, which he replaced in 1875 with the Janet. He evidently turned from fishing to fish-buying in his final years, and died 1.1.1880. His widow, Sarah NEWLANDS, in the following year -9.10.1881 married Daniel BLACK, in whose family the son of her first marriage, Michael - born 22.1r.62 - was raised. He fished in partnership with Black in the Roselea and the Ardenlea, acquired in 1884.
The 'in' in Durnin appears to have developed within the family of John D, though an earlier 'ing' ending was applied to both families.

Hi Iain,

Thanks for your reply, a very interesting read indeed.
I'd located the 1841 census for Michael I think it was, and there is a John Spratt living there who is only a year old according to the census.

My 4xGG Thomas Spratt came over to Campbeltown from Fermanagh between 1835/6 - 1841 as he appeared on the 1841 Campbeltown census with his two children - Margaret (8), & Thomas (6) both of whom were born in Ireland.

My 5xGG Thomas Spratt was also a Soldier according to Thomas' (4xGG) death record in 1868. Thomas & Rose do not appear in Scotland that I can see. Either they stayed in Ireland or came over but died before 1841.

So there seems a connection of the name Durnan/Durnin etc. The Location of Fermanagh. A Spratt living with a Durnin in 1841. The military connection of Thomas Spratt & Michael/Patrick Durnin. But unfortunately i've yet to find a DNA connection on this side. Apart from his parents names, Thomas (4xGG) does not seem to carry on any names from his maternal Durnan line.

I am connected to this via my paternal line, but also my uncle who married into the family, Charles Anderson Dott (now deceased), was also decended from the Durn*n family.

Keelan