http://www.genealogy.kirkpatrickaustralian.com/archives/getperson.p... (with minor edits) BROKEN LINK

In 1684, Gilbert Wilson, a Wigtonshire farmer, and his wife attended conformist services. However, their children, Margaret (18), Thomas (16), and Agnes (13), became attracted to the teaching of the Covenanters and attended illegal 'conventicles' to hear their prayers and sermons. Mr. Wilson was fined for his childrens' nonconformity, and treated like outlaws, the children took themselves into the hills of upper Galloway and spent months hiding from the troopers. Margaret Wilson was executed (the Wigtown Martyr), and four of her brothers fled to Ulster for refuge, [including this John Wilson].

John fled the "Killing Times" in Scotland and escaped to Ulster in an open boat in 1684, bringing with him an oak chair and chest and was at Carrickfergus in 1690 to meet William of Orange. John was later given lands at Rashee, Ballyclare.

Alexander deLaPere Kirkpatrick wrote in his Chronicles of the Kirkpatrick Family: "At Mrs. Wilson's, 32 Elgin Road, Dublin, are two ancient wooden arm chairs that were brought over from Scotland by their Wilson and Kirkpatrick forbears, the two families having intermarried at that date, according to the Wilson family tree. One Miss Kirkpatrick that married a Wilson, is said to have been endowed with second sight".

(Research): Wilson graves dated 1715, 1739 and 1742 in Coleraine (St Patrick's very old graveyard) have coat of arms which are apparently identical to the Wilsons of Fraserburgh Scotland. Wilsons of Markstown Ahoghill were descended from John Wilson of Wastland, Ayrshire, brother of Margaret Wilson.

Ref -Sam Henry, Coleraine Chronicle, 5th October 1940.

++++ Had 4 wives, of which Jonet was the fourth.

Father Gilbert WILSON, of Glenvernoch, Parish of Penninghame, Scotland, b. 1643, Scotland d. Abt 1704

Mother Jonet MCILWIAN, b. 1647, Wigtown, Scotland d. Aft 1711 Married Abt 1666

Some records list Isabell RAMSEY as the wife of Gilbert, yet others Beatrix CRAIB. In the Parishioners Roll of 29th September, 1684, Gilbert is recorded as the husband, Jonet McIlwian as his wife, and as such she is recorded here as the spouse. I have seen no other validated record for the others. An Isabell Ramsey is indeed listed in the above parishioners Roll, but as a servant woman of the Laird of Stewart Castle, under a list for Castel Stewart the Mains.(both locations are within the Parish of Penighame.)

Ref -"A List of the Parishioners' names within the Parish of Penighame. September 29, 1684"-The Scottish Record Society.

Children

1. John WILSON, of Birney Hill, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, b. 20 Jun 1719, Birney Hill, Skerry, Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland d. 22 Aug 1789, Birney Hill, Skerry, Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

2. Samuel WILSON, b. 8 May 1720, Birney Hill, Skerry, Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland d. 1744

3. Margaret WILSON, b. 1722, Birney Hill, Skerry, Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland d. Birney Hill, Skerry, Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

4. James WILSON, b. Abt 1725, Birney Hill, Skerry, Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland d. Yes, date unknown

5. Joseph WILSON, b. Abt 1727, Birney Hill, Skerry, Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland d. Loch Neagh, Co. Antrim

6. David WILSON, b. Abt 1729, Birney Hill, Skerry, Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland d. England

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

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170895854/john-wilson with errors