BADGER FAMILY CHRONICLES
© Christopher Earls Brennen
Appendix 11A. Porterfield History
This appendix delineates some of the early history of the Porterfield family. The Porterfield story begins in Scotland with Alexander Porterfield (1591-1675), the elder, of Duchall and his wife, Agnes Blair, whom he married in 1613. Alexander (1591), a staunch Protestant, inherited an estate named Porterfield in Renfrewshire, Scotland, an estate that was also known as Duchall. Alexander (1591) died in 1675 and was interred in the Porterfield Tomb in Kilmacolm graveyard. One of the sons of Alexander (1591), John Porterfield (1613-1690) married Jean Hamilton in 1636 and inherited the Duchall estate. However, in 1679, John (1613) and his brother Alexander (1620-1694) became involved with a rebellion against the crown, were captured, convicted and imprisoned by the Episcopal government of Scotland. The Duchall estate confiscted and transferred to the Earl of Melfort in 1686. (The estate, badly depleted was returned to John Porterfield upon the accession of William III to the throne of England in 1689). However, following the confiscation of the Duchall estate Alexander (1620-1694) managed to avoid execution and fled to Ireland along with his wife, Marion Hutchinson, of Auchengray and their son William Porterfield (1645-1729). During the Plantation of Ulster, Porterfield descendants were granted land in Counties Donegal and Tyrone. William (1645) had a son John Porterfield (1675-1739) who subsequently emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania. John had at least 8 children who settled in various places in Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina.
During the plantation of Ulster, extensive grants of land were made to the Earl of Abercorn and hsi brother, representing the power of the Hamiltons in Renfrewshire. They gathered colonists from northern Ayrshire. Each recipient of 2000 acres was to bring 48 able men of 18 years or older. The 1663 Hearth Money Rolls for Taughboyne Parish, Donegal, include Patrick Porterfield of Drumenan and William Porterfield of Ballylennon. The 1665 Hearth Money Rolls for Taughboyne Parish, Barony of Raphoe, Donegal, include John Porterfield of Ballylennon and Patrick Porterfield of Drumena and John Porterfield in Castletown townland.
The Dec.1789 List of Renters who signed a 21 year lease with the Duke of Abercorn Estate, Donegal,(which comprised a large part of the county in 1794) includes William Porterfield Sr. and William Porterfield Jr. of Ballylennon, Patrick Porterfield of Castletoun Middle, Nathan & ? Porterfield of Lettergull.
The 1794 List of Tenants on the Abercorn, Donegal Estate, Laggan Area, includes Elizabeth Porterfield, widow of Matthew Porterfield, in Lettergull, John Porterfield of Ballylennon, Nathan Porterfield of Lettergull, Patrick Porterfield of Castletoun, William Porterfield Sr. and William Porterfield Jr. of Ballylennon.
The Flax Growers Bounty List, 1796, of County Donegal, includes, Charles Porterfield of Clonleigh Donegal, James Porterfield of Donaghmore, Donegal, John Porterfield of Taughboyne, Donegal, and Morrah Porterfield of Taughboyne, Donegal.
Subscriptions to Dunnamanna Relief Fund, 1847, includes J. Porterfield.
Residents of Donemana & District, a poem by David Kee A.D., 1855: "Well, We now are come to Windyhill. Old Willy Fulton,-- John, I think, His spirits the world could never sink. William Arbuckle takes his cup, And always keeps his spirits up, His brother's sons his land do till, And Porterfield lives at the Archkiln."
Second Strabane Presbyterian Church, Leckpatrick Parish Financial Statement 1862, Pewholders and stipend payers include John Porterfield.
Griffith Valuation of 1860: John Porterfield leases from Joseph Moore in the townland of Windy Hill, parish of Donagheady, Strabane, County Tyrone. Griffith Valuation of 1860: John Porterfield leases from Marquis of Abercorn, house, offices and 27 acres of land in the townland of Cortlogher, parish of Urney, Strabane, County Tyrone. Griffith Valuation of 1860: James Porterfield leases from Marquis of Abercorn, property in the townland of Galdonagh, parish of Raymoghy, Raphoe, County Donegal. Griffith Valuation of 1860: Eliza Porterfield leases from Joseph McCausland, property in the townland of Lettergull, parish of Taughboyne, Raphoe, County Donegal.
1st Donagheady Presbyterian Church Financial Statement, 1870: List of Members includes William Porterfield and John Porterfield.
Householders Index, 1860, for Urney Parish includes a Porterfield.
Householders Index, 1860, for Leckpatrick Parish includes a Porterfield.
Householders Index, 1860, for Donaghedy Parish includes a Porterfield.
The 1867 list of Donaghmore Presbyterian Church Pew Holders includes Matthew Porterfield of Liscooley, Castlefin.
Christopher E. Brennen