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William Glasgow (c.1644–1656): Tyrone–Melanchthon Progenitor
Purpose
This Free Space Page focuses on the Tyrone–Melanchthon Branch (Cluster B) of the Glasgow surname in early Ireland. It compares possible Scottish parish records for William Glasgow, the Siege of Derry veteran said to have founded this line, and documents what is known, what is tradition, and what remains unproven.
See also the broader Glasgow Branches in Early Ireland page for related clusters, genetic links, and migration context.
Known Context
- Estimated birth: c.1644–1656, based on the tradition that William was an adult soldier at the Siege of Derry (1689).
- Family tradition says William remained in County Tyrone after the Siege, rearing a family there.
- His son John Glasgow (b. c.1681) and grandson Hugh Glasgow (b. c.1706) are documented in the same narrative. Hugh later moved to County Londonderry and the family emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1796.
- DNA evidence confirms the Tyrone–Melanchthon branch belongs to the same wider Ulster Glasgow cluster.
Active Scottish Baptism Candidates
| Candidate | Baptism Date | Place | Parents | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glasgow-1521 | 28 Sep 1648 | Glasgow High Kirk, Lanarkshire | William Glasgow & Bessie Howie | Best fit for the “from Glasgow” tradition; correct age for Siege; no Ulster link found yet. |
| Glasgow-1605 | before 04 Apr 1658 | Polwarth, Berwickshire | William Glasgow (mother unknown) | Covenanter prisoner on the Croune of London (1679); no proven return to Ulster. |
| Glasgow-3080 | before 15 Oct 1660 | South Leith, Midlothian | Archibald Glasgow & Agnes Watson | Leith was a major port for Ulster migration; age acceptable; no Tyrone proof yet. |
| Glasgow-2436 | before 29 Nov 1662 | Saint Cuthberts, Edinburgh | Robert Glasgow & Eupham Laurimer | Edinburgh was a known embarkation region; no direct Siege or Tyrone link found. |
Removed
Glasgow-2731 (Hawick, ~1670) and Glasgow-1026 (Kirknewton, 1671) have been excluded for this branch:
- Hawick likely overlaps Polwarth if same Covenanter line.
- Kirknewton (William Walter Glasgow) is the separate Moneymore branch (Cluster D).
Research Notes
Family Narrative
William Melanchthon Glasgow’s family history states that William Glasgow remained in Tyrone after the Siege of Derry and was the father of John Glasgow (b. ~1681). John’s son Hugh (b. ~1706 Tyrone) later moved to Londonderry and emigrated to Pennsylvania with his family in 1796. No parish or lease record has yet been found linking William and John directly.
Estimated Birth Window
Estimated c.1644–1656, based on typical soldier age for the Siege of Derry and the estimated birth of John c.1681.
DNA Evidence
Y-DNA shows that the Tyrone–Melanchthon line (Cluster B) is part of the same Glasgow surname group as the Moneymore (D) and Antrim (C) clusters. No paper evidence yet proves exactly how these branches connect.
Next Steps
- Search PRONI for Hearth Money Rolls, leases, or estate papers in County Tyrone naming William or John Glasgow.
- Search Siege of Derry regimental muster rolls and pay lists.
- Look for Tyrone and Londonderry Presbyterian session minutes.
- Expand Y-DNA testing for direct-line male descendants.
Sources
- William Melanchthon Glasgow, A History of the Glasgow Family [publication details].
- Church of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Glasgow High Kirk Baptisms, 28 Sep 1648, William Glasgow son of William Glasgow & Bessie Howie.
- Scottish Covenanters Index, Bothwell Bridge prisoners, Croune of London (1679).
- Glasgow_Branches_in_Early_Ireland
See Also
How to Contribute
Please add:
- Primary Tyrone leases, parish registers, or session records that document William ➜ John ➜ Hugh.
- Y-DNA results for direct-line male descendants.
- Always include full source citations.
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