Page 24 - Armstrong Bloodline - ebook_Neat
P. 24
of Carlisle, PA. 32 - page 328, 39 & 40 This Edward had only one son named James, so it appears that, once again, we
have eliminated a possible lead and our bloodline connection with Europe remains an enigma.
The family history in Glenda’s possession is, however, a very tantalizing and compelling document. Who
prepared it and where did the information in it come from? Some of it, as discussed above, appears to be
nonsensical, but I have a pretty good idea where several portions of it come from. For example:
1. description of the ancient Armstrong coat of arms, 32 - Page 37
2. family trademark – four roots and seven branches 32 - Pages 81 & 82
3. Clan was noted for their industry. They owned many cattle, with mills and granaries 32 - Page 71
4. Armstrong men were noted for their eloquence. They were very musical, had good voices, and wrote
their own ballads. These ballads have been recorded in "A Collection of Old Ballads" printed in 1728
(actually it was printed in 1723) 32 - Pages 73 & 74
5. Scottish home lands of Mangerton (Maingertoun), 32 - Pages 86 - 88
6. family names, 32 - Page 40
7. William’s emigration to Ireland, 32 - Pages 316 – 320
8. the princess with black hair and snapping black eyes 32 - Page 328 (minus the part about her being a gypsy
– although Armstrong Scottish folklore does make reference to a gypsy), 32 – Pages 33 & 34
9. Edward moved to Brookbora Ireland and built a beautiful home which is still a grand old place now
used as a hotel, 32 - Page 330
10. Martin, the son of Edward, came to Pennsylvania where a number of the clan had established a
settlement. They joined with a group of Dutch Puritans, 20, 21, 24 & 36
11. Martin married the “Lady” (unknown where this came from) Elizabeth Elliot. There were two sons.
(references will be listed in Chapter 4).
The Chronicles of the Armstrongs was first published in 1902. Although there were only 200 copies
originally printed, I can imagine that this publication must have been viewed as a major event among
Armstrong historians and genealogists, and it would appear that the genealogist who prepared this
narrative for one of our family members not only knew about it, but referred to it for some of the
information that was included in Glenda’s family history. How much of it directly relates to our bloodline
and how much was merely copied to add an air of authenticity, is unknown.
So what DO we know at this point? Well, Martin and his son Elliot’s names keep coming up, and his residence
in Shoreham, VT seems to be a recurring theme. Based on the personal accounts of Jerome and particularly
that of Henry Armstrong, I believe the preponderance of evidence (to use legal terminology) supports the
conclusion that our family did likely come to America from Northern Ireland. 31 – page 328 It also appears likely that
Martin also spent some time on the west side of Lake Champlain in the Essex County area of New York
(Willsboro, Fort Ticonderoga, and Crown Point are all located there). Repeated references to Long Island, NY;
42
41
43
Dutch Puritans; and Pennsylvania ; Massachusetts ; and Connecticut are particularly interesting as we
know these were all sites where Puritans and the Scot-Irish Armstrongs are known to have settled.
We also know that back as early as 1721, several former Scottish border families including Armstrongs from
Brooksboro, had left Ireland and settled in the Carlisle, PA area. 39 & 44 The life and family of one of the
Pennsylvania settlers, Major-General John Armstrong (mentioned above), the grandson of Edward from the
Border, who immigrated in 1736, is particularly well-documented as was his connection with the William Penn
family and the Puritan settlement in the state. We also know that another Armstrong branch founded by
Francis, the son of Edward (FTB), settled in Orange County, NY 45 & 46 in 1727 32 – page 364 . I believe the chances are
good that our bloodline is in some way linked to these families.
23