Mary Barbour

Origins

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

.

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.