Tags
Adams, Andrew Seawright, Armagh, Australia, Ballymacombs, Ballyscullion, Bellaghy, Castledawson, Catherine Seawright, Co Derry, County Down, Derry, Ellen Knipe, Ellen Snipe, Greymouth, John Adams, John Seawright, John Smyth, Kilrea, Londonderry, Mackerell, Magherafelt, McCracken, McKrell, Mullaghboy, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Queensland, Reefton, Robert Searight, Robert Simpson Walker, Rosanna Smyth, Rose Seawright, Rose Smyth, Searight, Seawright, Seawright Johnston, Seawright Road, Seeright, Seright, Thomas Johnston, United States, USA, William Seawright
The Seawrights of County Londonderry, Northern Ireland have a history stretching back at least 300 years. Some of the name variants (Searights/Seerights/Sewrights/Serights/Sayright) have been used interchangeably until more recently where the surname has become standardised by different lines of descendants.
Ive created this webpage to encourage family members from the various descendant lines to contribute information about their Seawright ancestors from County Londonderry. If you have something to contribute please Contact Me. Any United States based families who may have kept family bibles dating back to the 1760s may be able to definitively link various family lines so I would like to encourage you to Contact Me.
At this stage It is just a mass of peoples names, birth, baptism, marriage and burial and death dates where I have found them. Some I have purchased, some have been researched previously and some records I have found on the net or have been emailed to me by other family history researchers. I have also added census, tithe, Will and emigration records. If you have more records please Contact Me.
This is a work in progress.
About Me:
My own Seawright family descends from John Searight via his son William Searights marriage to Rose Smyth. Their son Robert Seawright moved to New Zealand in the 1860s via Australia. Robert, his sister Catherine and brother Andrew Seawright all moved to New Zealand over a 10 year period. There is good evidence to show that Williams father was John Seawright and the Will referred to further down this page is a strong indicator of the link. We dont know who William Seawrights mother was. There is a James Seawright mentioned in John Seawrights Will who may be another son of Williams or one of his brothers children.
William Seawright may have been named after his father but was known as William throughout his short life. John William Seawright known and referred to here as William.
I have a blog about my New Zealand families here:
These were the surviving children of William Seawright and Rose Smyth.
- John 1838-1901 married Ellen Knipe 1834-1890
- Charlotte 1840-1924 married James Mackerell 1837-1869
- Robert 1841-1873 married Elizabeth Morton 1841-1899
- Andrew 1843-1899 married Lucy Spring 1854-1894
- Mary 1851-1869
- Catherine 1852-1935 married Robert Patterson 1838-1903
The Australian Seawrights moved from County Londonderry to Australia in the 1880s and 1890s. The Australians descend from John Seawright and Ellen Knipe.
In 2016 the Australian Seawrights and New Zealand Seawright descendants took Genealogy DNA tests to confirm that we are from the same family line which begins with William Seawright and Rose Smyth. We tested through Family Tree DNA based in the United States. We took two tests – the Family Finder test which looks at your male and female ancestral lines and the YDNA or direct male line test.
It is likely that William and Rose married in the Bellaghy Church around 1837 and their children were also baptised there. Unfortunately the records were destroyed in the 1922 Irish ‘fire’ in Dublin. If you know of any other sources for these records please Contact Me (there is a Contact Me form at the bottom of this webpage).
DNA Testing to prove/disprove linkages between the descendant families
The second purpose of this webpage is to encourage male Seawright descendants with the Seawright surname (or variants) to DNA test through Family Tree DNA to link the families in Canada, United States, Australia, Ireland and other places around the world. The purpose of this is to see if we are genetically related and to definitely link the Seawrights who have speculated or only have old family stories that their families have come from County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
The YDNA test traces the direct male line back 160,000 years and if there is a common ancestor the test will show that. Obviously for genealogy purposes we only need the results to show the last few hundred years. The importance of having a direct male line family member take the test rather than one who has been adopted into the family is paramount. If any of the Seawrights descendants from County Down and County Antrim want to test this may prove/disprove any relationship. Currently there are two other Serights/Sewrights from the USA who we match to. Both have their origins in County Londonderry as their earliest known ancestors are from there.
Some names appear in the following records because they were born, married or died in County Londonderry. These people may have been born, married or died elsewhere. Marcus R Searight for example appears to have been born outside of Londonderry but has been included because his children were born in Londonderry.
William Beath Searight may be another family line born outside the county who emigrated for work purposes.
If you know the death date and place of Rose McIntyre nee Seawright nee Smyth please Contact Me.
Acknowledgements:
I have had a growing number of people contribute to the Seawright family project. Some would like to remain anonymous so I thank those people for their contribution to the Seawright family history.
- Robert (Frank) Seawright – An Australian Seawright descendant.
- Kenneth Moravec – An Australian Seawright descendant.
- Dave Bradley
If I have missed acknowledging you please let me know.
Births/Baptisms:
13 May 1805 (Baptism) Jean Searight at Searight town, Ballyscullion. Daughter of David Searight. Castledawson Presbyterian Church register, PRO Mic 1P/90. Residence listed as Craignahorn, Ballywillin.
20 June 1807 (Baptism) Andrew Searight at Ballymacombs. Son of Andrew Searight. Castledawson Presbyterian Church register, PRO Mic 1P/90
2 Sep 1809 (Baptism) Betty Searight of Ballymacombs. Daughter of Andrew Searight. Castledawson Presbyterian Church register, PRO Mic 1P/90
11 May 1811 (Baptism) James Searight of Ballymacombs. Son of Andrew Searight. Castledawson Presbyterian Church register, PRO Mic 1P/90
9 April 1813 (Baptism) Jean Searight of Ballymacombs. Daughter of Andrew Searight. Castledawson Presbyterian Church register, PRO Mic 1P/90
4 May 1813 (Baptism) Andrew Searight of Ballymacombs. Son of Andrew Searight and Hannah McCullogh. Castledawson Presbyterian Church register, PRO Mic 1P/90
9 July 1814 (Baptism) John Searight of Ballymacombs. Son of Andrew Searight and Hannah McCullogh. Castledawson Presbyterian Church register, PRO Mic 1P/90
13 December 1815 (Baptism) Hanna Searight of Ballymacombs. Daughter of Andrew Searight and Hannah McCullogh. Castledawson Presbyterian Church register, PRO Mic 1P/90
1824 John Smyth at Tamnadace. Son of Matty Seawright and John Smyth. Castledawson Presbyterian Church register, PRO Mic 1P/90
1826 Elizabeth Smyth at Tamnadace. Daughter of Matty Seawright and John Smyth. Castledawson Presbyterian Church register, PRO Mic 1P/90
1828 James Smyth at Tamnadace. Son of Matty Seawright and John Smyth. Castledawson Presbyterian Church register, PRO Mic 1P/90
1830 Thomas Smyth at Tamnadace. Son of Matty Seawright and John Smyth. Castledawson Presbyterian Church register, PRO Mic 1P/90
1832 Stewart Smyth at Tamnadace. Son of Matty Seawright and John Smyth. Castledawson Presbyterian Church register, PRO Mic 1P/90
9 July 1839 James John Searight at Magherafelt. Son of William Beath Seawright and Matilda. Records of Magherafelt Church of Ireland, PRONI MIC1/1/A1
21 July 1843 Georgina Searight at Magherafelt. Daughter of William Beath Seawright and Mary. Records of Magherafelt Church of Ireland, PRONI MIC1/1/A1
20 April 1850 Marcus Searight of Coleraine. Son of Marcus Searight and Mary Jane Knox. Baptised 12 August 1855 at Coleraine Parish.
15 January 1857 James Searight. Son of Marcus Searight and Mary Jane Knox. Baptised 3 May 1857 at First Coleraine Parish.
26 June 1864 John Mackerell at Mulaghboy. Father James Mackerell. Mother Charlotte Sewright. FHL Film Number: 101090
11 December 1865 Robert Seawright at Ballymacombs. Father John Seawright – farmer. Mother: Ellen Seawright (formerly Knipe). Registered by John Seawright – father.
15 January 1866 Mary Eliza Searight at Eglinton. Father’s Name: Marcus Searight
Mother’s Name: Mary Jane Knox
23 March 1866 Margaret Seawright at Mullaghboy. Mother: Mary Seawright of Mullaghboy. Registered by Rosey McAteer – present at birth.
18 April 1866 Martha Mackerel at Mullaghboy. Father James Mackerell – a farmer. Mother Charlotte Mackerel (formerly Seawright). Registered by Charlotte Mackerel.
18 December 1866 Ellen Seawright at Ballymacombs. Father John Seawright – farmer. Mother: Ellen Seawright (formerly Knipe). Registered by John Seawright – father.
18 January 1868 Eliza Sewright at Ballymacombs. Father John Seawright. Mother: Ellen Seawright (formerly Knipe). Registered by John Seawright – father.
5 Feb 1868 David Seawright at Eglinton. Father Marcus Searight. Mother Mary Jane Knox. Source: Emerald Ancestors
3 July 1868 Rachel Mackerl at Mulaghboy. Father James Mackerell. Mother Charlotte Senright. FHL Film Number: 101090
11 April 1869 Joseph Sewright at Ballymacombs. Father John Seawright. Mother: Ellen Seawright (formerly Knipe). Registered by John Seawright – father.
30 Jul 1869 Thomas Johnston birth Bellaghy, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland (father David Johnston, mother Florence Florinda McAnary)
19 Nov 1869 Henry Seawright at Eglinton. Father Marcus Searight. Mother Mary Jane Knox. Registration Quarter and Year 1869, Registration District Londonderry
Volume Number 17, Page Number 200
29 Apr 1870 John McCracken at Maghera. Father Hugh McCracken. Mother Margaret Seawright.
7 September 1870 May Elizabeth Morton Searight at Brighton, Charleston, Buller, New Zealand. Father Robert Searight. Mother Elizabeth Morton.
26 October 1870 Mathew James Johnston birth in Bellaghy, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland (father David Johnston, mother Florence Florinda McAnary)
13 October 1871 Catherine Seawright at Ballymacombs. Father John Seawright. Mother: Ellen Seawright (formerly Knipe). Registered by John Seawright – father.
14 December 1871 Robert Edward Ernest Morton Seawright. Brighton, Charleston, Buller, New Zealand. Father Robert Searight. Mother Elizabeth Morton.
1 Apr 1872 Mary Johnston birth in Bellaghy, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland (father David Johnston, mother Florence Florinda McAnary)
08 May 1872 Mary Ann McCracken at Maghera. Father Hugh McCracken. Mother Margaret Seawright.
19 Aug 1872 Joseph Seawright at Londonderry. Father Marcus Searight. Mother Mary Jane Knox. Source: Emerald Ancestors
18 Jun 1874 Andrew Adams at Kilrea. Father: John Adams. Mother Mary Anne Seawright.
26 March 1875 Ann Sewright at Ballymacombs. Father John Seawright – farmer. Mother Ellen Seawright (formerly Knipe). Registered by John Seawright – father.
28 March 1878 James Seawright at Derrynaflaw. Father John Seawright – a blacksmith. Mother Mary Mills. Dungiven Parish.
16 June 1881 Sarah Jane Seawright at Ballymacombs. Mother: Mary Anne Seawright a farmers daughter. Registered by Sarah Ann Dickson – present at birth.
28 November 1908 Nellie Seawright at Ballymacombs. Mother: Sarah Jane Seawright a Labourer. No father is listed. Registered by Nancy Chisney – present at birth.
Marriages:
4 March 1811 Andrew Searight marries Hanna McCullogh at Castledawson. The witnesses were James Vance and Nathanel McCullogh.
12 May 1819 Kathy Searight married John Smyth at Castledawson. The witness was Jenny Gibson.
4 October 1842 in Ballymacarrett Church, by the Rev. Thomas Leonard, A.M., Wm. Breath Searight Esq., Maherafelt, to Mary, eldest daughter of Wm. Radcliff, Esq., Ballymacarrett.
13 May 1847 Andrew Seright married Margaret McMillin at Bellaghy Parish Church. Andrew was a bachelor of full age living at Ballymacombs. His father is listed as David Seright – a farmer. Margaret McMillin a spinster of full age is living at Ballymacombs. Margarets father listed as William McMillin – a farmer. Witnesses were: John McMillin and Robert Rankin.
26 June 1851 Marcus R Searight married Mary Jane Knox at Dunluce Presbyterian Church. Marcus was of full age, a bachelor and policeman of Coleraine. He was the son of Edward Searight – a farmer. Mary Jane Knox was a spinster of full age of Coleraine. Marys father was Eagleson Knox a hotel keeper.
02 Oct 1857 Rose Seawright married John McIntyre at Bellaghy Parish. Rose of full age, a widow of Ballymacombs. Rose father was John Smyth – a farmer. John McIntyre of full age, a widower and farmer of Ballymacombs. Johns father was John McIntyre – a farmer. Witnesses were William Fleming and Solomon McIntyre.
Note: Rose was previously married to William Seawright who is the progenitor of the Australia and New Zealand Seawrights.
16 Oct 1857 John Seeright married Ellen Knipe/Snipe at Kilrea Parish. John was a bachelor and farmer living at Ballymacombs. He was also listed as a minor. He was the son of William Seeright – a farmer. Ellen Knipe was of full age and a spinster living at Moyknock. She was the daughter of John Knipe – a farmer. The witnesses were Stuart Lindsay and Joseph Knipe.
Children:
- William James Seawright 1858-1935
- John Seawright 1860-1899
- Thomas Seawright 1862-1930
- Robert Seawright 1865-1927
- Ellen Seawright 1866-?
- Andrew Seawright 1868?-1961
- Eliza Seawright 1868
- Joseph Seawright 1869-1911
- Charlotte Seawright 1870-1901
- Catherine Seawright 1871-1915
- Ann Seawright 1875-?
- Sarah Ellen Seawright 1879-1945
03 Jun 1858 Charlotte Searight married James Mackerell at Ballyscullion. Charlotte was 18, a spinster of Ballymacombs. Her father William Seawright was a farmer. James was 21, a bachelor and farmer of Mullaghboy. James father’s name was John Mackerell – a farmer. The witnesses were Robert Johnson and James Smyth.
Charlotte and the children emigrated to the USA after the death of James. The children were:
- Sarah Mackerell 1861-1894
- John Mackerell 26 June 1864-1934 married Lavinia Judd 1870-1938
- Martha Mackerell 18 April 1866 – 1954 married Randolph Nelson Blodgett 1876-1949
- Rachel Mackerell 3 July 1868 – 1954
14 September 1858 James Sewright married Elizabeth Sloss at Magherafelt. James was full age, a bachelor and farmer from Ballymacombs. James father was James Seright – farmer. Elizabeth was full age, a spinster of Ballymulderg. Elizabeths father was Joseph Sloss – a farmer. The witnesses were Mary Sloss and Robert Boyd. Registration district Magherafelt, Volume 7, Page 809. Source: Find My Past
6 June 1865 David Seawright marries Margaret Burnside at Castledawson Presbyterian Church. David was a bachelor of full age of Ballyscullion – a farmer. Davids father listed as David Seawright – a farmer. Margaret Burnside a spinster of full age living at Kilberry. Margarets father listed as William Burnside – a farmer. Witnesses were: John Burnside and Sarah Burnside.
3 July 1868 Robert Searight marries Elizabeth Morton at the Residence of Rev Joseph White, Charleston, Nelson-Marlborough, New Zealand
Children:
- May Elizabeth Morton Searight 1870-1960
- Robert Edward Ernest Morton Searight 1871-1960
7 July 1868 David Johnston marries Florinda McAnary at the Parish of Desertmartin. David was of full age, a bachelor and farmer of Mullaghboy. Davids father was Thomas Johnstone a farmer. Florinda was of full age a spinster of Luney. Florindas father was Matthew McAnary a farmer. The witnesses were William Crossett and Florinda McLean.
Children:
- Thomas Johnston 1869-1951
- Matthew James Johnston 1870-1952
- Mary Johnston 1872-1957
24 March 1869 Andrew Searight married Lucy Spring at the Swan Hotel, Hokitika, West Coast, New Zealand.
Children:
- Joseph Frederick Searight 1873-1946 married Frances Olive Trower 1888-1932
- Maud Josephine Mary Searight 1875-1913 married Arthur Archie Adams
- Ernest Searight 1877-1902
- Henry Searight 1877-1878
- Robert Searight 1880-1975 married Annie Elizabeth Connor 1881-1976
- Charlotte Mary Searight 1882-1968 married John Henry Hicks
30 April 1869 Margaret Seawright marries Hugh McCracken at St Conlus Church of Ireland, Termoneeny. Margaret was of full age, a spinster of Knockloughrim. John Seawright listed as her father – a labourer. Hugh was of full age, a bachelor and butcher of Carricknakielt. James McCracken listed as his father – a farmer. Witnesses were William KcKeown and Thomas Shiels.
Children:
- John McCracken 29 April 1870
- Mary Ann McCracken 8 May 1872
- Margaret Jane McCracken 15 April 1875
2 Jan 1871 Catherine Searight marries Robert Patterson at Brighton, West Coast, New Zealand
Children:
- John Patterson 1871-1953
- James Patterson 1873-1950
- Robert Patterson 1874-1961
- William Patterson 1875-1941
- Anabella Patterson 1876-1944
- Catherine Patterson 1878-1954
- Isaac Patterson 1879-1936
- Mary Ann Patterson 1881-1947
- Hugh Patterson 1881-1961
- Thomas Searight Patterson 1885-1976
- David Patterson 1887-1918
- Henry Patterson 1889-?
31 July 1873 Mary Anne Seright marries John Adams at Bellaghy Church. Mary Ann a spinster of Ballymacombs of full age. Andrew Seright is her father – a farmer. John Adams of Moy, a bachelor. Samuel Adams is the father – a farmer. Witnesses were James Adams and James ?
Children:
- Andrew Adams born 18 June 1874
- Samuel Adams 29 March 1878
- Sarah Adams 30 January 1880
- Hugh Adams 23 February 1882
- William Adams 2 January 1884
- John Adams 21 September 1886
- Robert Adams 6 March 1889
- Margaret Adams 6 December 1891
- Mary Adams 28 June 1894
18 June 1891 James Seawright marries Ann Henderson at Castledawson Presbyterian Church. James a widower and labourer of Tamlaghtduff. James father was Robert Seawright – a farmer. Ann Henderson a spinster of full age of Tamlaghtduff. William Henderson is her father – a farmer. Witnesses were John Graham and Martha McNeill.
16 April 1892 May Elizabeth Morton Searight married Frederick Clark at St Stephens Parsonage, Reefton, West Coast, New Zealand
Children:
- Olivia Latonia De Courcy Clark 7 November 1892
- Eileen Mabel Clark 23 February 1894
- Ethel Elizabeth Clark 10 January 1897
- Morton Leslie James Clark 10 May 1899
- Beatrice May Clark 27 December 1903
- Fawcett Seddon Clark 30 August 1905
21 Mar 1893 Margaret Ellen Seawright married Robert Simpson Walker at Dungiven Presbyterian Church. Margaret was a spinster living at Dungiven. She was the daughter of John Seawright a labourer. Robert was a railway worker living at Coleraine. He was a bachelor and the son of John Walker a farmer. The witnesses were Annie Walker and John Seawright.
Children:
- Mary Walker 3 January 1894
- Robert Walker 22 February 1895
- Margaret Walker 12 April 1897
- Lily Walker 9 June 1905
- Susan Walker 2 March 1910
5 December 1895 Robert Searight married Margaret Ferguson at Dungiven Presbyterian Church in the Parish of Dungiven, Civil District Newtown Limavady, County Londonderry. Robert was a bachelor living at Dungiven. He was the son of John Searight a labourer. Margaret was a spinster living at Straid Hill. Her father was Joseph Ferguson a farmer. The witnesses were John Searight and Jane Ferguson.
01 May 1899 Matthew James Johnston married Florence Hind Saunders in Roma, Queensland, Australia.
Children:
- Lionel Saunders Johnston 1900-1978
- Gordon David Johnston 1903-?
- Allan Matthew Johnston 1906-1948
4 May 1899 James Seawright married Margaret Thompson at Bovevagh Church of Ireland. James was a bachelor living at Owenbeg. James father was John Seawright a shoemaker. Margaret was a spinster living at Gortgarn. Margarets father was Edward Thompson a labourer. The witnesses were Alexander Thompson and Betty Mawhinnie.
3 Jul 1901 Mary Johnston married Sidney Charles Luck at St. Pauls, Mackay, Queensland, Australia.
Children:
- Florinda Luck 1902-1935
- Norman Collin Luck 1904-1937
- David Johnston Luck 1905-1979
- Olive Mary Luck 1910-1994
- Gwenneth Moya Luck 1914-1961
12 April 1909 Sarah Jane Seawright married John Russell at Bellaghy Church. Sarah a spinster, age 27 of Ballymacombs, Bellaghy. No father listed. John Russell a bachelor, age 29 of Ballymacombs, Bellaghy. Johns father listed as William Russell – Labourer. Witnesses David James Vance and Mary Elizabeth Vance.
Children:
- William Russell born 3 April 1910 in Ballymacombs
- Henry Russell 4 July 1911 in Ballymacombs
- Robert Russell 19 March 1913 in Ballymacombs
- Elizabeth Russell 30 November 1914
24 May 1927 Robert Seawright married Mary Jane Reilly at Cumber Upper Presbyterian Church. Robert was a bachelor living at Straidhill Park. Roberts father was John Seawright a blacksmith. Mary was a spinster living at Moyse Limavady. Marys father was William Reilly a farmer. The witnesses were Samuel Craig and Maggie Murphy.
Deaths and Burials
1835 Matilda Seawright. Inscription: SEAWRIGHT [Granite slab] Erected by William Blath Seawright in memory of his beloved wife Matilda who died …. [1835] aged [21] years. Graveyard: Magherafelt 1st Pres, Magherafelt, County Londonderry. Source: http://www.ancestryireland.com
31 March 1866 David Seright at Ballyscullion. Age 54, married and a farmer. Witnessed by Jane Seright present at death.
2 May 1867 Thomas Johnston (husband of Mary Seawright) at Mullaghboy, Ballyscullion. He was a widower and the death was certified by his son Seawright Johnston. His death certificate states he was 68 years old making his birth around 1799.
8 December 1867 Martin Seewright at Ballyscullion. Age 64 years a bachelor and farmer. Jane Seewright of Ballyscullion present at death.
28 Dec 1868 Mary Eliza Searight at Eglinton. Age 3. Father Marcus Searight of Eglinton present at death.
4 January 1869 David Searight. Born in the same year he died. Event Type Death
Event Date 1869, Event Place Londonderry, Ireland, Registration Quarter and Year 1869, Registration District Londonderry, Age 0, Birth Year (Estimated) 1869
Volume Number 2, Page Number 172
7 January 1869 Edward Searight. Event Type Death, Event Date 1869, Event Place Londonderry, Ireland, Registration Quarter and Year 1869, Registration District Londonderry, Age 6, Birth Year (Estimated) 1863, Volume Number 2, Page Number 172
13 August 1873 Robert Searight at Grey River Hospital, Greymouth, Westcoast, New Zealand
29 January 1878 Jane Seawright at Ballyscullion. Age 29 years, a spinster and daughter of a labourer. Witnessed by Jane Seawright who was present at death.
9 April 1878 Andrew Seawright at Ballymacombs. Age 74 years, married and a farmer. Witnessed by John Adams who was present at death.
1 February 1884 Jane Searight at Ballymacombs. Age 62 years, a widow of a farmer. Witnessed by Eliza Searight – daughter, present at death.
2 February 1889 Andrew Seawright at Devils Creek, Reefton, Buller, West Coast, New Zealand
27 Dec 1898 Marcus Seawright at Poyntzpass, Co Armagh. Source: Emerald Ancestors. Marcus moved from Co Londonderry.
6 April 1890 Eliza Searight at Ballymulderg. Age 65 years, married wife of James Searight – a farmer. Witnessed by Robert ?ross present at death – brother?
18 February 1900 Margaret Seawright at Ballymacombs. Age 96, a widow and housekeeper. Witnessed by Mary Ann Adams present at death. (Wife of Andrew Seawright who died in 1878)
26 Jun 1902 Annie Seawright at Poyntzpass, Co Armagh. Source: Emerald Ancestors. Annie moved from Co Londonderry.
5 Aug 1902 William Seawright at Poyntzpass, Co Armagh. Source: Emerald Ancestors. William moved from Co Londonderry.
29 Mar 1903 David Johnston died at Mackay Gaol, Mackay, Queensland, Australia.
26 February 1908 Seawright Johnston at Mullaghboy, widower aged 70 years and a farmer. Joseph Johnston (his nephew) was present at his death and signed with his x. Joseph was from Mullaghboy.
12 August 1914 Ann Seawright at Bellaghy. Age 71 years, a widow of a farmer. Witnessed by John Daws brother in law present at death.
1917 Mary Seawright. Birth year 1847, Age at death 70, Registered year 1917, Registered quarter/year Apr – Jun 1917, Registration district Coleraine, Volume 1,
Page 335
7 July 1918 Eliza Seawright at Ballymacombs. Age 72 years, a spinster. Witnessed by Sarah J Russell, niece, present at death.
17 June 1922 Martin Seawright at Ballymacombs. Age 72, a bachelor and farmer. Witnessed by Sarah J Russell – niece present at death.
24 April 1924 Charlotte McKrell at Binghampton, Broome, New York, USA. (Charlotte McKrell/Mackerell nee Seawright – wife of James Mackerell. Her birth date is listed as 4 July 1847 but this is unlikely as she would have been 11 when she married James Mackerell).
7 March 1925 Margaret Seawright (nee Ferguson) wife of Robert Seawright aged 77 years. Banagher Presbyterian Church County Londonderry. In this Church Graveyard there is a headstone on the grave of Margaret Ferguson, wife of Robert Seawright. The following is a transcript of the headstone on the History from the Headstones website:
SEAWRIGHT In memory of Margaret FERGUSON, beloved wife of Robert Seawright, Straid, died 7th March 1925, aged 77 years.
30 April 1948 Allan Mathew Johnston in Gympie, Queensland, Australia. Lionel Saunders Johnston was the witness.
13 October 1952 Mathew James Johnston in Clayfield, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Gordon David Johnston was the witness.
1 November 1954 Rachel McKrell at the Binghampton State Hospital, Binghampton, New York, USA. (Rachel was the daughter of James Mackerell and Charlotte Seawright)
26 September 1957 Mary Luck nee Johnston in Warwick, Queensland, Australia. Norman Collin Luck was the witness.
10 July 1978 Lionel Saunders Johnston in Gladstone, Queensland, Australia. Alan David Johnston was the witness.
The following are references to the Seawright families listed chronologically
Will 5 October 1758 (abridged)
On 11 October 1748 Andrew Seright of Ballymacombs in the Parish of Ballyscullion bequeathed to his son Martin Seright half of his land in Ballymacombs – a proportion of Vinters, Co Londonderry. (Martin is unmarried). Andrews wife Mary is bequeathed the other half of his land. Martin and Mary are to have half the house each and goods. Also left is Andrews proportion of Vinters, County Londonderry.
While speculative the ownership of Vinters land may imply that the Serights were part of The Plantation of Ulster by Scottish and English settlers and could have their origins in either one of those places.
No other children are mentioned.
Tithe Applotments 1828
Seawright, Townland: Ballynease Year: 1828
Seawright, Andw. Townland: Ballymacomb Year: 1828
Seawright, Davd. Townland: Ballymacomb Year: 1828
Seawright, David Townland: Ballyscullion Year: 1828
Seawright, John Townland: Ballymacomb Year: 1828
Seawright, Martin Townland: Ballymacomb Year: 1828
Freeholder Records 1829?
John Seawright – 10 pound yearly value
Source: PRONI
Census 1831
Martin Seright
Robert Seright
John Seright
Andrew Seright
First name(s) Andrew
Last name Seright
Census year 1831
House number 107
Townland Ballymacombs
Parish Ballyscullion
Barony Loughinsholin
County Londonderry
Number of families 1
Number of males 2
Number of females 3
Number of Presbyterians 5
Country Ireland
Record set Ireland Census 1821-1851
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) David
Last name Seright
Census year 1831
House number 74
Townland Ballyscullion
Parish Ballyscullion
Barony Loughinsholin
County Londonderry
Number of families 1
Number of males 4
Number of females 1
Number of Presbyterians 5
Country Ireland
Record set Ireland Census 1821-1851
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) John
Last name Seright
Census year 1831
House number 112
Townland Ballymacombs
Parish Ballyscullion
Barony Loughinsholin
County Londonderry
Number of families 1
Number of males 4
Number of females 3
Number in Established Church 7
Country Ireland
Record set Ireland Census 1821-1851
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) Martin
Last name Seright
Census year 1831
House number 111
Townland Ballymacombs
Parish Ballyscullion
Barony Loughinsholin
County Londonderry
Number of families 1
Number of males 1
Number of females 1
Number of Presbyterians 2
Country Ireland
Record set Ireland Census 1821-1851
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) Robt
Last name Seright
Census year 1831
House number 113
Townland Ballymacombs
Parish Ballyscullion
Barony Loughinsholin
County Londonderry
Number of families 1
Number of males 3
Number of females 2
Number in Established Church 5
Country Ireland
Record set Ireland Census 1821-1851
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
9 April 1831
William Seawright of Magherafelt is sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. In 2016 I contacted the various archives in Ireland to see if there are records of this case exist and it appears none exist.
David Searight appears in the valuation Office Books. He is listed in the Field Book, Londonderry, Loughinsholin, Ballyscullion, Ballyscullion West. He is listed as having a house and office.
Source: The National Archives
Will 1840
First Name ANDREW
Last Name SERIGHT
Year 1840
Diocese DERRY
County Antrim, Donegal, Londonderry (Derry), Tyrone
Record set W.P.W. Phillimore & Gertrude Thrift, Indexes to Irish Wills 1536-1858, 5 vols (1909-1920)
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory Wills & probate
Collections from Ireland
1846 Freemasons Register
William Beath Seawright. The Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Collection: Freemasons of Ireland Membership Registers; Volume Number: Volume IV. Source ancestry.com
17 August 1850 Will of John Seeright
In the Name of God Amen. I John Seeright of Bally McCombs and parish of Balysculin and County of Londonderry being of proper mind and Memory thanks be to god for his Mercies as man is Mortal I think it my bounded Duty to Settle All my wordly affairs. I bequeath my soul to the Lord who gave it to me. I allow my body to be buried in a Desant way. I Bequeath my Daughter Jane Swan one acre of Labour ground in the Crossland and A Cow’s grass. I allow her my own roome with byer and Durighill Stead with the third of the garden Durin her natural life. The above to be off the head of the whole Land and if she Dont Chose to Live by the Land I allow her to be paid five pound per year and that quarterly. I allow her bead and beadstead and Chairs and press and the young cow and if she goes to Live with James Swond she forfits all her right and like of the above. Eye allow as mush of the Land to be sol (sold) as amount til Eighteen or twenty pound a year for to pay the Dept and the remander to bee Devided in two Shairs. the one half to William and the other half to Jean Swan and Jeams Sewright with my Kitchen to Jeams (could be Jean or James) And the about to stand so till all paid to Francis Linsay. when all Depts is paid I allow the one half to my sun William and his airs and I allow the other half to my gran sun Jeams Sewright and his Laful aires (lawful heirs). if the said Jeams Sewright sells his part he is to pay Thomas Johnson thirty pounds and if he Dies without a laful aire his part of the Land is to be Divided one acre and A cows Grass to Thomas Johnson my Grand Sun and the remander to go to Williams part of the Land. if the said Jeams Sewright marrys and (upon dying first)… .. first his wife has no Children she is to get support During her widow hood. I Bequeath my bead and ..(press) to my Grand Dauter Sharlet Sewright. if my sun william Gets beter well he is to get my clock. I allow my Dauter Mary Johnston thirty pound to be paid in three Equal Shares three years between every Share the first payment three years after my Death. I Bequeath my Dauter Ellen Smyth one pound to be paid one year after my Death. I allow Jeams Sewright the half of the horse and Cart and all the farming uteticls (utensils) By paying william or his aires thirty shillings. The Land is not to be Divided till the Dept is paid. if the said James marrys and pays the Half of the Dept He is to Get His part of the Land.
If william Doth not come to his health Jeane is to get the Clock and all the moveably in my house. During her Life She is not to Dispose of them But till …(thame? or thems) that takes the Best Caire of Her. I allow Jeams the black cow. Jeams is not dispose in or about the house without his aunts Leave or the Exector. I allow my Gran Dauter Sharlot Sewright ten pound to be paid when she is twenty five years of age of Jeams part of the Land. I apoint John Kelly of Sand morns and Thomas Johnston of Mullough boy John Dickson Senr to Bee my Executors and administerators. this is my Last Will and testament Dated this Seventen of Aug eighteen Hundred and fifty
Sined Saild and Delivered (Signed, Sealed and Delivered)
Witness present
John Dickson
Joseph Dickson
John Dickson
Griffiths Valuation 1858-1859
Searight, Andrew L: Ballymacombs More
Searight, David L: Ballymacombs More
Searight, David L: Ballyscullion West
Searight, John L: Ballymacombs More
Searight, Martin L: Ballymacombs More
Searight, Martin L: Ballyscullion West
Griffiths Valuation 1859
First name(s) DAVID
Last name SEARIGHT
Role occupier
Year 1859
Printing date 1859-03-02
Townland BALLYSCULLION, WEST
Civil Parish BALLYSCULLION
Barony LOUGHINSHOLIN
Poor Law Union MAGHERAFELT
County Londonderry (Derry)
Lessor’s first name(s) HENRY S.B.
Lessor’s last name BRUCE
Occupier’s first name(s) DAVID
Occupier’s last name SEARIGHT
Act 15&16
Record set Griffith’s Valuation 1847-1864
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Land & estates
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) JOHN
Last name SEARIGHT
Role occupier
Year 1859
Printing date 1859-03-02
Townland BALLYMACOMBS MORE
Civil Parish BALLYSCULLION
Barony LOUGHINSHOLIN
Poor Law Union MAGHERAFELT
County Londonderry (Derry)
Lessor’s first name(s) EARL OF
Lessor’s last name STRAFFORD
Occupier’s first name(s) JOHN
Occupier’s last name SEARIGHT
Act 15&16
Record set Griffith’s Valuation 1847-1864
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Land & estates
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) JOHN
Last name SEARIGHT
Role lessor
Year 1859
Printing date 1859-03-02
Townland BALLYMACOMBS MORE
Civil Parish BALLYSCULLION
Barony LOUGHINSHOLIN
Poor Law Union MAGHERAFELT
County Londonderry (Derry)
Lessor’s first name(s) JOHN
Lessor’s last name SEARIGHT
Occupier’s first name(s) –
Occupier’s last name Unoccupied
Act 15&16
Record set Griffith’s Valuation 1847-1864
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Land & estates
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) MARTIN
Last name SEARIGHT
Role occupier
Year 1859
Printing date 1859-03-02
Townland BALLYSCULLION, WEST
Civil Parish BALLYSCULLION
Barony LOUGHINSHOLIN
Poor Law Union MAGHERAFELT
County Londonderry (Derry)
Lessor’s first name(s) HENRY S.B.
Lessor’s last name BRUCE
Occupier’s first name(s) MARTIN
Occupier’s last name SEARIGHT
Act 15&16
Record set Griffith’s Valuation 1847-1864
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Land & estates
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) MARTIN
Last name SEARIGHT
Role occupier
Year 1859
Printing date 1859-03-02
Townland BALLYMACOMBS MORE
Civil Parish BALLYSCULLION
Barony LOUGHINSHOLIN
Poor Law Union MAGHERAFELT
County Londonderry (Derry)
Lessor’s first name(s) EARL OF
Lessor’s last name STRAFFORD
Occupier’s first name(s) MARTIN
Occupier’s last name SEARIGHT
Act 15&16
Record set Griffith’s Valuation 1847-1864
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Land & estates
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) MARTIN
Last name SEARIGHT
Role occupier
Year 1859
Printing date 1859-03-02
Townland BALLYMACOMBS MORE
Civil Parish BALLYSCULLION
Barony LOUGHINSHOLIN
Poor Law Union MAGHERAFELT
County Londonderry (Derry)
Lessor’s first name(s) ROBT.
Lessor’s last name BATESON
Occupier’s first name(s) MARTIN
Occupier’s last name SEARIGHT
Act 15&16
Record set Griffith’s Valuation 1847-1864
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Land & estates
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) MARTIN
Last name SEARIGHT
Role occupier
Year 1859
Printing date 1859-03-02
Townland BALLYMACOMBS MORE
Civil Parish BALLYSCULLION
Barony LOUGHINSHOLIN
Poor Law Union MAGHERAFELT
County Londonderry (Derry)
Lessor’s first name(s) LOUISA
Lessor’s last name TRENCH
Occupier’s first name(s) MARTIN
Occupier’s last name SEARIGHT
Act 15&16
Record set Griffith’s Valuation 1847-1864
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Land & estates
Collections from Ireland
Londonderry County Extractions (over 1 Acre) 1873-75
Owner Name Owner Residence
Seawright, Andrew Ballymacombs, Bellaghy
Seawright, James Ballymacombs, Bellaghy
Seawright, John Ballymacombs, Bellaghy
1878 Will
Letters of Administration of the personal estate of Andrew Seawright late of Ballymacombs County Londonderry Farmer who died 9 April 1878 at same place were granted at Londonderry to Margaret Seawright of Ballymacombs the Widow.
1882-1890 Seawright emigration to Australia
Name: Ship Age Arrival Date
- Thomas Saywright Compta 20 2 June 1882
- John Searight Shannon 22 16 March 1884
- Joseph Seawright Wistow Hall 16 25 August 1885
- William Seawright Wistow Hall 26 25 August 1885
- Robert Seawright Wistow Hall 18 25 August 1885
- Andrew Seawright Tara 15 1 April 1890
- Charlotte Seawright Tara 20 1 April 1890
- Ellen Seawright Tara 39 1 April 1890
- John Seawright Tara 38 1 April 1890
- Sarah Seawright Tara 11 1 April 1890
1898 Will
Probate of the Will of Marcus Searight late of Poyntzpass County Armagh Gentleman who died 27 December 1898 granted at Armagh to William Searight Henry Searight and Joseph Searight all of Poyntzpass Merchants.
Wife: Jane
Son: George H, Marcus (deceased) – his share to exclude his widow and heirs – if any.
Sons: William, Henry, Joseph
Daughters: Bessie, Annie
1900 Probate
Name Margaret Seawright
Event Type Probate
Event Date 18 Feb 1900
Event Place Londonderry
Beneficiary’s Name Mary Ann Adams
1900 Land return for Seawright Johnston
1901 Census:
First name(s) George H
Last name Searight
Relationship to head Brother
Marital status Single
Marital status as transcribed Not Married
Sex Male
Age 45
Birth year 1856
Birth place Londonderry (Derry)
Occupation Commercial Clerk
Townland/Street Poyntzpass
District electoral division Poyntzpass
County Armagh
Religion Episcopal Church
Literacy Read and write
Image link http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Armagh/Poyntzpass/Poyntzpass/1037245/
Family member first name(s) William, Annie, Joseph, George H
Family member last name Searight
Record set Ireland Census 1901
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) Henry
Last name Searight
Relationship to head Head of Family
Marital status Married
Marital status as transcribed Married
Sex Male
Age 27
Birth year 1874
Birth place Londonderry (Derry)
Occupation Publican
Townland/Street Poyntzpass
District electoral division Poyntzpass
County Armagh
Religion Church of Ireland
Literacy Read and write
Image link http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Armagh/Poyntzpass/Poyntzpass/1037283/
Family member first name(s) Henry, Annie
Family member last name Searight
Record set Ireland Census 1901
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) John
Last name Searight
Relationship to head Head of Family
Marital status Married
Marital status as transcribed Married
Sex Male
Age 40
Birth year 1861
Birth place Londonderry (Derry)
Occupation Agricultural Labourer
Townland/Street Owenbeg
District electoral division Dungiven
County Londonderry
Religion Presbyterian
Literacy Read and write
Image link http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Londonderry/Dungiven/Owenbeg/1524143/
Family member first name(s) John
Family member last name Searight
Record set Ireland Census 1901
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) John
Last name Searight
Relationship to head Boarder
Marital status Single
Marital status as transcribed Not Married
Sex Male
Age 26
Birth year 1875
Birth place Londonderry (Derry)
Occupation Boot Maker
Townland/Street Carlisle Street
District electoral division Court Ward
County Antrim
Religion Presbyterian
Literacy Read and write
Image link http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Court_Ward/Carlisle_Street/963988/
Family member first name(s) Andrew, Maggie, John, Rachel, Annie, Isabella
Family member last name Logan, Searight, Jervis, McFarlane
Record set Ireland Census 1901
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) Margaret
Last name Searight
Relationship to head Wife
Marital status Married
Marital status as transcribed Married
Sex Female
Age 48
Birth year 1853
Birth place Londonderry (Derry)
Occupation –
Townland/Street Straid
District electoral division Banagher
County Londonderry
Religion Presbyterian
Literacy Read and write
Image link http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Londonderry/Banagher/Straid/1527054/
Family member first name(s) Robert, Margaret
Family member last name Searight
Record set Ireland Census 1901
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) Robert
Last name Searight
Relationship to head Head of Family
Marital status Married
Marital status as transcribed Married
Sex Male
Age 30
Birth year 1871
Birth place Londonderry (Derry)
Occupation Farmer
Townland/Street Straid
District electoral division Banagher
County Londonderry
Religion Presbyterian
Literacy Read and write
Image link http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Londonderry/Banagher/Straid/1527054/
Family member first name(s) Robert, Margaret
Family member last name Searight
Record set Ireland Census 1901
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
1902 Will
Probate of the Will of William Searight late of Poyntzpass County Armagh Publican who died 5 August 1902 granted at Armagh to Edward Griffith Grocer and James A. Gilleland N.S. Teacher.
Wife Margaret Anne (Annie) Searight
Brothers: Henry, Joseph,
Sisters: Annie, Bessie
Probate of the Will of Annie Searight late of Passview Poyntzpass County Down Spinster who died 26 June 1902 granted at Belfast to Matthew M’Comb Farmer.
Brother George
Sister Bessie McComb and Matthew McComb
1911 Census:
First name(s) Henry
Last name Searight
Relationship to head Head of Family
Marital status Married
Marital status as transcribed Married
Sex Male
Age 38
Birth year 1873
Birth place Co Londonderry
Occupation Spirit Merchant
Townland/Street Poyntz Pass Town (part of)
District electoral division Poyntz Pass
County Armagh
Country Ireland
Religion Church of Ireland
Image link http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Armagh/Poyntz_Pass/Poyntz_Pass_Town_(part_of)/307618
Family member first name(s) Henry, Annie, Florrie, Muriel, Norah
Family member last name Searight
Record set Ireland Census 1911
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) Margaret
Last name Searight
Relationship to head Wife
Marital status –
Marital status as transcribed –
Sex Female
Age 49
Birth year 1862
Birth place Co Derry
Occupation –
Townland/Street Straid
District electoral division Banagher
County Derry (Londonderry)
Country Ireland
Religion Presbyterean
Image link http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Londonderry/Banagher/Straid/598055
Family member first name(s) Robert, Margaret
Family member last name Searight
Record set Ireland Census 1911
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
First name(s) Robert
Last name Searight
Relationship to head Head of Family
Marital status Married
Marital status as transcribed Married
Sex Male
Age 41
Birth year 1870
Birth place Co Derry
Occupation Farmer
Years married 15
Townland/Street Straid
District electoral division Banagher
County Derry (Londonderry)
Country Ireland
Religion Presbyterean
Image link http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Londonderry/Banagher/Straid/598055
Family member first name(s) Robert, Margaret
Family member last name Searight
Record set Ireland Census 1911
Category Census, land & surveys
Subcategory Census
Collections from Ireland
Seawright Martin of Ballymacombs county Londonderry farmer died 17 June 1922 Probate Belfast 23 January to Andrew Adams and John Junkin farmers. Effects £36.
1924 Death Certificate of Charlotte Mackerell/McKrell nee Seawright
Other
The following are records which have not been verified or the people may be linked to one of the family members above.