Willem Becx

Other Events:

• Name: William Becx
• Name: Wyllem Becks

Notes:

...The surname of Beck is not common in Northern Ireland, and prior to 1850 was only represented by three groups of families resident respectively in the Ardes district of County Down, the parish of Donegore in County Antrim, and in those portions of the Baronies of Upper Iveagh and O'Nielan, lying between Dromore and Hamiltonsbawn. In these districts a large number of families owe their progenitors to the Plantaion of Ulster, which occurred towards the end of the sixteenth and early in the seventeenth centuries, when the escheated estates of the native chieftains were occupied by British settlers. A tradition that the three groups of Beck families were collateral kinsmen descended from one of these settlers, or an earlier army servitor is substantially confirmed. Subsequent to 1850 a much wider distribution of the name is found, but with one exception, where recent English origin is definite, all existing families claim an ancestry in one or other of the three groups.
...The earliest records detailing individual Plantation settlers are contained in the Ulster Muster Rolls of 1630 (Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 4770), and therein are included the names of Adam Beck and John Beck, both described as "of Granshagh, Barony of Lower Ardes," and John Beck, tenant on Antony Cope's estate, Barony of O'Nielan. The consensus of evidence indicates that the heads of these families were brothers who had settled in these districts prior to 1630. The previous history of these two progenitors is unknown, but a crest which occurs on seals, bookplates, etc., of many descendant families affords a clue in its marked similarity to that included in the armorial bearings of Beck of London (Harl. Sco., vol. xv.). For the most part successive generations were yeomen or tenant farmers and landowners, occupying holdings in those districts where virgin soil was first tilled by their Plantation ancestors, the name recurring in the scanty local records of the Baronies mentioned, and showing continuous association through nine or ten generations during three hundred years. One member, John Beck, of Lisburn and Annacloy rose to a position of wealth during the close of the sixteenth century, but in the next generation his sons, with one exception, are again found in the tenant farmer class. Offshoot families settled in Belfast from 1650 onwards, but no continuity of descent in this town is found, until its increasing industrial importance during the last century attracted several members, some of which were notable in professional and commercial activities. The further family at Donegore was founded about a century later that the Muster Roll record, by a younger son of the O'Nielan branch who deserted his paternal district - and settled in County Antrim. The territorial association of the name with the Barony of Upper Iveagh receives mention in Hume's "Origin of the Population of County Down," reprinted in vol. i "Ulster Journal of Archaeology." This reference applies to the descendants of John Beck of O'Nielan, and commencing with the two brothers, a connected pedigree of this line can be traced.

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

John Beck, who was living at Amullabrack, Barony of O'Nielan, 1630, tenant on Antony Cope's estate, also there in 1663 (Armagh Subsidy Rolls). He died prior to 1669 and was buried in Mullaghbrack Parish Churchyard, reference to the grave being made in the will of his son Adam. He left at least two sons. Mullaghbrack is a parish in Armagh in the Barony of Fews Lower. (Source: John W. Beck, A.M.I.E.E., "Beck of Northern Ireland", 1931)

Birth:
of O'Nielan, presumed of London

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

It is assumed that William had died by the time of the Muster Roll of 1630 and that only Adam and John were the surviving family at Gransha in County Down.

Notes:

Adam Beck was living at Granshagh, Barony of Lower Ardes in 1630 (Brit. Mus. Add. MSS 4770), also in 1663 (County Down Subsidy Rolls). According to J. W. Beck, Adam's direct descendants were still to be found in the neighbourhood in 1931. (Source: John W. Beck, A.M.I.E.E., "Beck of Northern Ireland", 1931)

Birth:
of Granshagh

Other Events:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Will: 14 Mar 1699; Reference T2710

Notes:

Adam Beck, farmer and wool merchant, who was living at Amullabrack 1669. He died in the summer of 1699, his will being dated March 14 of that year and proved in the following July by his wife Margaret at Armagh Diocesan Court. Therein he mentions his "good son Robert," his wife Margaret and appoints as overseer his brother John Beck of Lisburn. He also directs that his body be buried "in the parich yard neere my fathers greeve." (Source: John W. Beck, A.M.I.E.E., "Beck of Northern Ireland", 1931)


Will:

WILL
Adam Beck of Belimacally, parich of Amullabrack in county Ardmagh.
Dated 14 March 1699.
In the nem of God Amen, I Adam Beck of Belimcally, Amullabrack bein well in yeers and not Knowing how soon it may please to God to call upon me of this live which I hope, in his blessed mercy will be a better one. I do mak this my latter will and testemend. I committ my soule to God from whom I live and have my bein, and bodie to be buried decente in paric yard neere my father's greeve. To good sun Robert my freehoulds ___ and messuage comp___ment, also stok of cattel and half my wool in stok. I leeve to my wife Margaret my wooven loomb and large cubbert in lofte on screwators which was my father's cubbert and haf wool in stok and puter dishes. I leave to Alex Watt oke chest and scarif and releese him of bond due me for £5 more or less. I revoke other testemends and publis this___ my wife sole executor and request my brother John Beck of Lisburne, to be overseer and to settel my just dettes. In witness I have set my hand and seal this day 14th Marche 1699.

Witnesses: Jon Mc Farland, Owen McConnel, James Craig.
Proved at Armagh Diocesan Court by Margaret Beck, sole executor, July 1699.

Family/Spouse: Margaret _____. Margaret was born in 1638 in Mullaghbrack, County Armagh, Ireland; died after 1699. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Occupation: Linen Merchant, Lisburn

Notes:

...John Beck was born at Mullaghbrack circa 1650, the younger son of John of O,Nielan. His father John of O'Nielan handed the farm over to Adam the elder son, who became a successful farmer and wool merchant. The elder John of O'Nielan then went into business with the younger John as a linen merchant in Charlemont, and the business prospered. When the elder John of O'Nielan died, the younger John was sole owner of the business and presumably he sold this for a fair sum. He is described as a "gentleman of Belfast".
...French Huguenot refugees and linen workers were invited by the English government to settle in Lisburn in 1698. They quickly introduced Dutch looms and reorganized the fledgling Ulster linen industry. In 1711 John purchased from the Crown an estate of 656 acres at Annacloy, near Downpatrick, he being then "of Lisburn." He also had associations with Lisburn and owned land or property there, and from references probably traded there - linen merchant at Lisburn, County Antrim.
...He died at Annacloy in 1722, and was buried in the graveyard of the Society of Friends at Balinderry near Lisburn, on his testated request "after the manner of my friends the people called quakers." In his will, dated July 25, 1718 and proved by his widow at Down Diocesan Court on September 10, 1722, he mentions his sons Robert, Thomas, John of Dunagore, and Samuel of Lisburn, and requests his executors "to preserve his lands at Annacloy for the benefit of his wife and family." The appointed executors, Abel Strettell and Thomas Strettell, renounced in favour of his wife Elizabeth, also mentioned. The estate was sold to Philip Percival of Dublin in 1727, when his widow returned to Lisburn and resided with her son Samuel. The extensive inventory attached to the will shows he was a man of substance considerably beyond the average for his time. He left the four sons mentioned and five daughters. (Source: John W. Beck, A.M.I.E.E., "Beck of Northern Ireland", 1931)


Died:

WILL
—John Beck of Downpatrick, Manor of Downpatrick in county of Down.
Dated 25 July 1718.
Of perfect mind and memory but weak of body. Commits soul to Almighty God in hope of a joyful resurrection, and body to be buried in the graveyard at Ballinderry, near Lisburn, after manner of my friends the people called Quakers. Appoints Abel Strettell and Thomas Strettell of City of Dublin, merchants, and wife Elizabeth Beck as Executors. Overseer and guardian Richard Mercer of hillsborough in county of Down, gentleman. To wife Elizabeth £50 stg., and one half of household goods, remaining half to be divided amongst children share and share alike. To eldest son Robert £50 stg. To daughter Ruth £10 stg. To second son Thomas £50 stg. To daughter Abigail £40 stg. To son Samuel Beck of Lisburn £50 stg. to daughter Elizabeth £40 stg. To son John Beck of Dunagore £ 50 stg. To daughter Ellen £40 stg. To daughter Mary £40 stg. To the five daughters mentioned £100 stg., the said money to be put out at interest and so to continue until they or any one of them be married or otherwise disposed of out of their mother's house when they shall be paid the proportion of the said £100 stg. and interest. In event of death of any one of the five daughters before so disposed of her proportion to be divided equally amongst daughters that survive. Orders that bond perfected by Samuel Smart of Kilmore for £100 shall not be charged interest to date of my decease. To poor of Lisburn £5 stg. to be disposed by the Rector of it. Residuary legatee eldest son Robert, with contingent remainder to son Thomas, his heirs and assigns. Orders that executors be repaid all expenses in discharge of trust reposed in the in, and requests that they endeavour to preserve the lands at Annacloy for benefit of wife and children. Witnesses: James Smith, Francis Tineston, William McComb.
—Renunciatioun, dated 17 April 1722, of Abel Strettell and Thomas Strettell, merchants of City of Dublin, for good cause and consideration all right, claim and title to the execution of last Will and Testament of John Beck, late of Downpatrick, linen merchant, and prays the ordinary of Diocese of Down to grant administration to the proper person, Elizabeth Beck atte Downpatrick.
—Probate to Elizabeth Beck, relict and executrix, at Down Diocesan Court 15 September 1722. (25th July 1718 NA Reference T/2709 Document ID: 4865)

John married Elizabeth Strettell in Ireland. Elizabeth (daughter of Hugh Strettell and Mary Hulme) was born before 18 Jun 1655 in Mobberley, Cheshire, England; was christened on 18 Jun 1655 in Mobberley, Cheshire, England; died after 1727. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Will: 29 Mar 1725

Notes:

WILL
...Robert Beck of Mecantrim Mullabrack in county of Ardmach, farmer and merchant. Dated 29, March 1725.
To wife Margaret alias Walker all household goods and chattels, and requests son Robert to supply her with twelve bushels of wheat yearly. To son Adam £12 stg. To son William £10 stg. To son Robert all lands and stock I die possessed of provided that said wife may have sufficient turf thereout for one fire during her life. To wife tenement for her enjoyment without disturbance during life, remainder to son Robert. Executor, son Robert Beck.
Witnesses: Luke McClinshire, William Gibson.
...Probate granted to Robert Beck, Junior, sole executor, on 30 September 1726 by Matthe, Whaley, Surrogate Ardmach Diocesan Court. (Source: Information received from Dave Griffiths)

Family/Spouse: Margaret Walker. Margaret was born in in Mullaghbrack, County Armagh, Ireland; died after 1726. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Birth: 1693, County Antrim, Ireland

Notes:

John Beck was living at Donacloney, County Down, 1702, and married Martha Watson on January 6, 1702. Later, in 1718, he occupied a farm at Donegore, County Antrim, and acted as executor for neighbor Stirling, circa 1735. Three sons survived him, David Beck, whose will was dated December 1764; John Beck, whose will was dated August 4, 1786; and Samuel Beck, will dated March 30, 1782 - all proved at Connor Diocesan Court. (Source: John W. Beck, A.M.I.E.E., "Beck of Northern Ireland", 1931)

Birth:
prob. Lisburn, County Antrim, Ireland

John married Martha Watson on 6 Jan 1702. Martha was born about 1680 in Donaghcloney, County Down, Ireland; died after 1731. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Occupation: Farmer in Cleuagh

Notes:

Robert Beck, who was living at Annacloy up to 1727, being co-lessee with his brother Thomas "at peppercorn rent due to Elizabeth Beck relict and executrix of last will and testament of John Beck deceased". He was later a landowner at Clay, Annaclone Parish lease being dated 1735 for lives of himself, his son Francis, and others. he left issue four sons: Francis, born 1723 who succeded to the Clay property, and whose will dated July 3, 1801, was proved at the Dromore Diocesan Court on September 16, 1801; Robert Beck living at Lisnabella County Down, 1756; John Beck of Brague, Loughbrickland; and George who died a minor. (Reference: John W. Beck, A.M.I.E.E., "Beck of Northern Ireland", 193)

Family/Spouse: Alice Dunbar. Alice was born in 1701; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Occupation: Linen Merchant, Lisburn, Ireland

Notes:

Samuel Beck, linen merchant of Lisburn, County Antrim 1718, also 1725, subsequently purchased a farm at Ballynaris, Dromore. He married Mary Partridge of Dromore and left three sons John Beck, who succeeded his father at Ballynaris; Robert Beck of Quilly, Dromore and Samuel Beck of Ballysallagh, who died October 8, 1794, aged 65, and was buried in Dromore Cathedral.
(Source: John W. Beck, A.M.I.E.E., "Beck of Northern Ireland", (1931)

Occupation:

Referring back to Samuel Back, the third son of John Beck, of Lisburn and Downpatrick, it will have been oted from a record quoted that in 1725, he was engaged as a linen merchant in Lisburn. Later he purchased a far at Ballynaris, Dromore, dying about 1760. His line was continued by three sons, John of Ballynaris, Robert of Quilly, and Samuel of Ballysallagh. His branch was not prolific, the Census Records of 1821 and 1841 only detailing the two families at Quilly and Ballysallagh. The Parish Register of Dromore includes in a few entries most information necessary for tracing lines of descent, and in the Churchyard headstones mark, only the graves of Samuel Beck of Ballysallagh, 1725-1794, John Beck, of Ballysallagh, 1756-1840, and Robert Beck, of Quilly, 1758-1823. A member of this branch is still resident of Ballysallagh, and half a century ago a further family at Annaghmoon could claim descent from Samuel Beck, of Ballynaris. The following note relative to a grandson of the founder is of particular interest. John Beck, born at Ballynaris about 1760, press-ganged while in Belfast on a business visit, served ten years with Royal Navy, returned to Dromore in 1792 with considerable amount in prize money, disappeared with his wife at Newcastle, Co. Down, in 1793; two skeletons found in 1901 during demolition of the house in which they were supposed to have lodged during the visit. [Source: A Brief History of the Beck Family in Northern Ireland, by John W. Beck, A.M.I.E.E., p13]

Family/Spouse: Mary Partridge. Mary and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Living at Annacloy in 1718.

Birth:
prob. Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Ireland

Notes:

Living at Annacloy in 1718.

Birth:
prob. Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Ireland

Notes:

Living at Annacloy in 1718.

Birth:
prob. Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Ireland

Notes:

Living at Annacloy in 1718.

Birth:
prob. Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Ireland

Notes:

Thomas Beck, second son of John Beck of Lisburn and Annacloy, was born circa 1680 at Lisburn, County Antrim. From 1725 to 1727 he was co-lessee with his brother Robert of the Annacloy estate "at pepper-corn rent." He later settled at Ballyguningham, Donacloney Parish, occupying land presumably held previously by his brother John. A lease for portion of this land or all extension to same was negotiated in 1728 "for term of twenty-one years or natural life of Lessee," he being then "aged about forty-eight years". Thomas Beck married Jane Prunty (or Prundy) at Annaclone Parish Church 1739, who was presumably his second wife. The famous Haworth family of Bronte originally spelt their name as Prunty, and as their forbears came from Loughbrickland a relationship in some degree is not improbable. Thomas Beck died intestate, predeceasing his wife who died June 6, 1787 and was buried in Annaclone Parish Churchyard. He left four sons. ~(Reference: John W. Beck, A.M.I.E.E., "Beck of Northern Ireland", (1931)

Thomas married Jane Prunty in 1739 in County Down, Ireland. Jane was born in 1718; died on 6 Jun 1787; was buried in County Down, Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Living at Annacloy in 1718.

Birth:
prob. Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Ireland