James ‘of Old Orchard Beach’ Armstrong, Jr.

Probably not related to David ‘of Enniskillen’ Armstrong or others in that family. This Presbyterian line of Armstrongs were from Argyllshire, then Londonderry on the Ulster plantation.

“Chronicles of the Armstrongs - Armstrongs of the Eighteenth Century”. Page 355. < Archive.Org >

Among the "Records of Falmouth" (now Portland), Maine, we find the following: "James Armstrong (see 1724, 1725) and Mary.

Children:

1. Thomas, born Dec. 25, 1717, in Ireland;
2. John, born March 9, 1720, in Falmouth;
3. James, born July 25, 1721, in Falmouth."

(New England Hist, and Gen. Register.)

“Chronicles of the Armstrongs - Armstrongs of the Eighteenth Century”. Page 360 < Archive.Org >

“In the autumn of 1718 a vessel arrived in the harbor here [Portland] with twenty families. Many of them were descendants of a colony which emigrated from Argyleshire, Scotland, and settled in the north of Ireland about the middle of the seventeenth century. They were rigid Presbyterians and fled from Scotland to escape the persecutions of Charles I. On arriving in the harbor, they were very destitute and the town helped them during the winter. In the spring most of them sailed for Newburyport, reached Haverhill April id, and soon established themselves at a place to which they gave the name Londonderry. Several families, however, remained here, among which was that of James Armstrong, with his sons John, Simon, and Thomas. Robert Means, his son-in-law, was also with him." (Willis Collection, Portland library, Maine.)

“Chronicles of the Armstrongs - Armstrongs of the Eighteenth Century”. Page 361. < Archive.Org >

”James Armstrong came to Portland from Ireland in 1718 with his family and brothers and was one of the emigrants who spent the winter on board ship during that winter. He had a son Thomas, born in Ireland Dec. 25th, 1717. His sons John and James were born in Falmouth, the old name for Portland and Cape Elizabeth, the former March 9th, 1720, the latter April 25th, 1721. He remained here with his brothers while his companions went upon their voyage. John, Simeon, and Thomas Armstrong, together with James, received grants of land here previous to 17214 His daughter married Robert Means." (Willis Collection, Portland library, Maine.)

From “Family Pilgrimage John Armstrong of Falmouth, Boston and Saco.” < link >

I recently uncovered a genealogy of the Armstrongs by Harry Alexander Davis which he compiled in the late 1800's. I tend to believe that early research done closer to the events that take place tend to provide more accurate data. Quite often they capture information from people that have first or second generation information that is more accurate.

Mr. Davis identifies James Armstrong as born circa 1667 in the province of Ulster, Ireland. He married Jean Jameson (prior to 1689). The genealogy indicates that James and Jean Armstrong had the following children:

1. Robert born circa 1689
2. Jean born circa 1691
3. Mary born circa 1693
4. James born circa 1695 (died in childhood)
5. John born circa 1701
6. Simon born circa 1703

James and Jean Jameson Armstrong are my 6th great-grand parents.

Mr. Davis states that Jean Armstrong died in 1714 in Ireland and that James remarried Mary (last name unknown). Mary accompanied him with his sons to Maine. Mr. Davis claims that James and Mary Armstrong had the following children:

1. Thomas born 12/25/1717 in Ireland
2. John born 5/2/1720 in Falmouth, Maine
3. James born 4/25/1721 in Falmouth, Maine

I think it is likely there were two James Armstrong's that arrived at Falmouth aboard The Robert. James Armstrong the Elder or father and James Armstrong his son. Mr Davis wrote that James Armstrong Jr. died in childhood. It is possible that this is true, but that they had another son that named James Armstrong that did survive (it was not unusual at that time to name children with the same name if a child died). I think it seems likely that the James that married Mary was actually James Jr.

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References

• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/93J7-29R
• James Armstrong in the U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900 < AncestrySharing > Name: James Armstrong Arrival Year: 1718 Arrival Place: Portland, Maine Primary Immigrant: Armstrong, James Source Publication Code: 9450 [VIRKUS, FREDERICK A., editor. Immigrants to America before 1750. An Alphabetical List of Immigrants to the Colonies, before 1750, Compiled from Official and Other Records. Surnames 'A through Battles.' Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1965. 220p.]
• Mary in the Maine, U.S., Birth Records, 1715-1922. < AncestrySharing > Name: Mary Maiden Name: Armstrong Gender: Female Spouse: James Armstrong Child: Thomas Armstrong
• "Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HVS-4NJ : 2 March 2021), James Armstrong in entry for John Armstrong, 09 Mar 1719; citing Falmouth, , Maine, United States, multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm.
• "Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HK4-RSY : 2 March 2021), James Armstrong in entry for James Armstrong, 25 Apr 1721; citing Falmouth, , Maine, United States, multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm.
• https://gw.geneanet.org/hal90002?lang=en&iz=296&p=james&n=armstrong... Are dates & parents valid?
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Orchard_Beach,_Maine Old Orchard Beach is a resort town and census-designated place (CDP) in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 8,960 at the 2020 census.[3] It is part of the Portland−South Portland−Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area. Located on the inner side of Saco Bay on the Atlantic Ocean, the town is popular seaside resort. The downtown contains many tourist-oriented businesses, including clam shacks and T-shirt shops. A wooden pier on the beach contains many other tourist businesses, including a variety of souvenir shops. The seven mile (11 km) long beach actually covers three different towns (Scarborough, Old Orchard Beach, and Saco, north to south), and is lined with many beach residential properties, condominiums, motels and bed and breakfasts.[4][5]