Just browsing on the net -- came across the following which is a great synopsis of what we
know for the Ireland family. Take care. Marilyn
There were no Callison or Wethereld names in the 1630 Muster Roll or the
Hearth Rolls of 1666 which showed a majority of native Irish - surprising when
Cromwell is supposed to have driven them out after the 1641 rebellion. After
the Williamite wars, the lands of those Irish who had supported James II were
confiscated and re-let to Protestant settlers.
The Test Act of 1704, discriminating against Presbyterians, discouraged the
Lowland Scots, who were mostly of that persuasion, from going to Ireland
during the reign of Queen Anne but in the 1720's they flocked to Ulster
outnumbering the Episcopal Church members.
Most came from Ayrshire, Galloway and Kirkcudbrightshire and the Callisons
may have come from there as later evidence suggests that they were
Presbyterians.
Anthony Callison may have been converted to the Quaker faith on his marriage
to Abagail Wethereld on Apr.30, 1734. Among the witnesses were William and
Luke Callison while the Wetherelds were represented by William, Joseph, John
and Sarah.
A list of leaseholders in 1738 includes the names of William, Luke, Anthony
and Ann Callison.
(my note: were one of these men the father of James who married Isabel?)
Another list in 1759 shows William, Anthony and James Callison while a
further list in 1772 shows only William and Anthony Callison.
My Note: I seems reasonable to assume that James has now left for this country-- the
thrice married James, son of Anthony)
When Abagail, daughter of Anthony married John Mitton on Jan.21, 1773,
Anthony only was present which indicates that William may have died that year.
Anthony died in June 1779 in the townland of Mullalelish. his will which had
been made exactly a year earlier, was the subject of several discussions in
the monthly meetings of the Quakers which dragged on for about a year. Some
objections were made to the bequests to his four daughters and their husbands.
No details can be gathered in the recorded minutes but the other Callisons
appear to have been so annoyed that they left the congregation
(My note-- I wonder who the other Callisons were)
Subsequent records of the family are found in Presbyterian church.
It would appear that a William Callison may have been a brother of Anthony
born 1709, Margaret born 1720 and James born 1721.