James Ewing of Inch Island

One of the six "Battle of the Boyne" Ewing brothers.

General

The Ewings lived for centuries in the Glasgow area of Scotland. A few of the clan moved to an island near Londonderry, Ireland to pursue opportunities given to Protestants during the unsettled reign of Catholic King James I, then to Chester and Cumberland Counties, PA

Ewing of Inch island and Ewing of Carnshanaugh proved to be the same clan based on family History. Inch Island of Lough Swilly, County Donegal, Ireland, is 10 miles from Londonderry and Carnshanaugh is nearby, also in Ireland. However the Ewing clan originated centuries earlier in the Stirlingshire region of the Glasgow area of Scotland.

The Ewings were Presbyterian, as were most of the Scottish settlers who James I invited to settle in the mid-late 1600s.

The children of James Ewing of Inch Island were baptized in the Burt Congregation nearby. There is DNA evidence that children of close relatives of James remained in Ireland when James and Anne went to Pennsylvania around 1728.

Partial summary

Children of James Ewing are:

• Alexander Ewing, b. Bet. 1693 - 1694, Inch Island, County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland, d. July 21, 1752, Maryland.
• Ester Ewing, b. 1697, Inch Island, County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland.
• John Ewing, b. Bet. 1698 - 1699, Inch Island, County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland, d. 1753.
• Henry Ewing, b. 1701, Inch Island, County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland, d. 1782.
• Samuel Ewing, b. 1701, Inch Island, County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland, d. 1772.
• Thomas Ewing, b. 1704, Inch Island, County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland
• William Ewing, b. 1706, Inch Island, County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland, d. 1774.

References:

• http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/e/w/i/Steven-R-Ewing-FL/...

Alternate history

Ewing of Inch island and Ewing of Carnshanaugh proved to be the same clan based on family History. (See Chapter XI) Inch was an island 10 miles from Londonderry in Ireland and Carnshanaugh in the Glasgow region of Scotland.

During the war between Protestant William of Orange and Catholic King James, many Scotsmen had to flee depending on who was ruling at the time. Thus, the Ewing clan were from the Glasgow region of Scotland, who went to ireland first, and then America.

PROBABLE CHILDREN OF JAMES EWING OF INCH ISLAND who were baptised in Burt Congregation Church and are Registered there, and two, not baptised there.

1. Alexander Ewing b ca 1693/4. His baptism is not recorded. I believe he is the man who died in EAST NOTTINGHAM Twp. Chester Co., PA prior to July 1752. His Administration Bond was signed by wife, Anne, James Cowden (Beleived to be his brother-in-law) John Ewing (believed to be his brother not his son tho he had one) and John Hawthorn. Chapter XV tells something of Alexander Ewing died 1752 and Chapter XXXVI tells of John Ewing, I believe his son.
2. Ester Ewing baptised 24 May 1697 “Parent James Ewing of Inch Island.” She married 16 June 1724 James Cowden who signed the 1752 Bond of Alexander Ewing, above and of John Ewing's 1754 Bond. They lived in EAST NOTTINGHAM Twp. Chester Co., PA. Chapter XVI tells the story of this family.
3. John Ewing baptised 22 Jan 1698/99 “Parent James Ewing of Inch Island.” He married Susannah. His Administration Bond 3 June 1754 by wife, James Cowden (believed to be his brother-in-law as lands joined) by James Hawthorn, and by his eldest son, Robert Ewing. They lived in EAST NOTTINGHAM Twp. Chester Co., Pa. The land became a part of Cecil Co., MD when the Mason-Dixon Line was Surveyed. Chapter XX tells the story of this family.
4. Henry Ewing baptised 11 October 1701 “Parent James Ewing of Inch Island.” He married twice and lived, first, in EAST NOTTINGHAM Twp. Chester Co., PA. When township lines changed he was in LONDONDERRY twp.” and again when lines changed he was in LOWER OXFORD twp. Chester. He wrote a Will and died prior to 7 January 1782. He signed his Will Henry Ewing Senior. He had a son, Henry, and a grandson, Henry, who died in 1777 at the Battle of the Brandywine. Chapter XVII is about this man and his family.
5. Samuel Ewing baptised 11 October 1701 “Parent James Ewing of Inch Island.” He married Rebecca George in 1740 in the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, PA. She was a Quaker and it is said he became estranged from the others because of this. He could very well be twin to Henry Ewing “IV” above. He died prior to 10 Feb 1773. He lived in WEST NOTTINGHAM Hundred, Cecil Co., MD. Chapter XXXIII tells the story of this family.
6. Thomas Ewing baptised 5 Nov 1704 “Parent James Ewing of Inch Island.” He left few “tracks” but is believed to be the father of another, John Ewing who was born 27 August 1727 in Chester Co., PA. John married Sarah Yeates of Chester, daughter of John and Elizabeth Yeates. Sarah was born 1731 and married about 1750 John Ewing. He died in Philadelphia, PA prior to 11 Nov 1754 and was called “Captain John Ewing”. All efforts to find him listed in the French and Indian War have failed. All 3 children were baptised in Christ’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. We know that Ester Ewing Cowden and James Cowden were Episcopal and that their son, Joseph Cowden was an Episcopal Rector. We have no chapter for Thomas.
7. William Ewing b ca 1706/7. He was on the 1729 Tax Record of EAST NOTTINGHAM Township, Chester Co., PA then he was in Londonderry Township when it was formed from E. Nottingham. He seems to be one and the same with the William Ewing who went to West Pennsboro twp. Cumberland Co., PA with those named James Gordon and James Graham and others. He was in Tyrone twp. Cumberland Co., PA where he died in 1774. It is believed he had a son, Thomas, by a first wife and sons, Samuel, James and Alexander and daughters Jane and Martha. We have traced them all. See this Book, Chapter XXXIX and Chapter XV.

Historical context

During the mid-1600's, there was great religious persecution of the Protestants in Scotland. According to the tradition of the Ewing clan, the Ewings of America trace their origin to six stalwart brothers of a Highland clan, who, with their chieftain, engaged in insurrection in 1685, in which they were defeated, their chieftain captured and executed and themselves outlawed. It is told that our Ewing ancestors first went from their seat on the River Forth to the Isle of Bute, in Scotland, and then settled at or near Coleraine, County Londonderry, of Ulster, in Northern Ireland. On July 12, 1690, members of the Ewing Clan took part in the Battle of the Boyne, fought on the river of that name in Eastern Ireland. In this battle, King James II was opposed by William of Orange who was fighting for the Irish Protestants. The result of this battle was the complete overthrow of James, thus forcing his abdication of the throne and establishing the rule of William and Mary. The anniversary of this battle is still celebrated by the Orangemen, or Irish Protestants.

Who were these six stalwart Ewing brothers? The brothers might have included:

1. John Ewing of Carnshanagh;
2. Robert Ewing, father of Alexander;
3. Findley (Finley) Ewing, father of Thomas;
4. James Ewing of Inch Island;
5. William Ewing, father of Nathaniel;
6. and possibly an Alexander Ewing.

It is reported that three Ewing men lost their lives in the Battle of the Boyne. Captain Findley( Finley/ Ffinlay) Ewing, (born about 1650) father of Thomas Ewing Sr. was awarded a silver sword by his sovereign King William in recognition of his bravery during the battle. It is not known what act of valor for which he was honored. But the sword presented was silver-handled and was in possession of the family in New Jersey when it was stolen by a slave and the handle was melted for its metal. Before its theft, it was worn during the American Revolution by Dr. Thomas Ewing, an army surgeon and great grandson of its original owner. Findley Ewing was a staunch Presbyterian and an ardent advocate of liberty. He married Jane Porter in Londonderry, Ireland in 1694. Recent research leads us to believe that their son, Thomas Ewing Sr. may have been born in 1690 in Londonderry rather than 1695 as has been thought for many years. (See quote from Margaret Ewing Fife's book on Thomas Ewing Sr. page.) He became the first American immigrant of this Ewing line. There are several references to Captain Findley Ewing's father as being James Ewing of Glasgow, Scotland, born about 1630; however, the proof of this fact remains to be found.

From the Burt Congregation records, we also learn that Findley first lived in Inch Island in Lough Swilley, then moved to Fahan on the east coast of Lough Swilley. Four of his children were baptized on the 10th of the month -- reflecting the many superstitions of the time. The siege of Londonderry played a part in the movement of some people during this time. When looking at the American records in New Jersey, they indicate that besides Thomas Ewing coming to America, his three brothers, William, James, and Robert were also immigrants to America.

The Naming of Children

You will find, as you look through many Ewing lines, that the same first names were used over and over again! We don't know if our ancestors consistently followed this system, but here are some helpful guidelines for how children were named:

• The first son was named after the father's father. (the paternal grandfather)
• The second son was named after the mother's father. (the maternal grandfather)
• The third son was named after the father.
• The fourth son was named after the father's oldest brother (and continued after other brothers)
• The first daughter was named after the mother's mother. (the maternal grandmother)
• The second daughter was named after the father's mother. (the paternal grandmother)
• The third daughter was named after the mother.
• The fourth daughter was named after the mother's oldest sister (and continued after other sisters)

Other Ewing History

Recent research has shed some light on the ships that were used to transport the Ewings from Northern Ireland to America. The ship, Eagle Wing started transporting people to America as early as 1636. It was built to carry 140 passengers. The trip across the ocean would take six weeks or longer to complete. The fact that the different Ewing families were able to purchase land a short time after their arrival tells us a little bit about their status. Apparently they were able to pay their own transportation cost to America since we do not find any of them identified as indentured servants. When you research a number of deeds, you nearly always find that the Ewing men could sign their name. And, most often, the wife would sign her name with a mark. This one example appears to indicate the importance placed on the men being schooled and the women not being schooled.

For a thorough narrative on Ewing origins, I suggest James McMichael's papers, located at Clan Ewing of America.

Life

Resided on, and had his family on, Inch Island, in County Donegal. James's children likely married in Londonderry, for the most part, which if this is right, means James moved there for a time before heading to Pennsylvania. It also seems (at the moment) that James left some of his children behind when he went to Pennsylvania; there are DNA matches that seem to be siblings of son William but who never went abroad. These could possibly be children of James's brother William the DNA works better for a closer relationship.

Son William headed to Pennsylvania around 1729, according to land records, so it is likely that James and his wife did as well. The early emigration means that many of James's children must have remained in Londonderry under the care of one of his grown children, of which he seems to have had several that were left in Ireland.

If this is revised, it would be to move all children that remained in Ireland to be children of brother William.

References

• http://www.ewingfamilyassociation.org/EGD_Project/James_of_Inch/ui4...
• http://www.ewingfamilyassociation.org/books/EwingInEarlyAmerica/Fif...