Restoration Strabane - Macghee family

 Local history and church history publications are of central importance to genealogical research in Ireland. 

A great example of this is the Maynooth Studies in Local History publication, 'Restoration Strabane, 1650-1710: Economy and Society in Provincial Ireland' by William Roulston. It is a superb study of a provincial town, its economic and social history; and packed full of genealogical material. 

One example from the book is the McGee or Magee family of Strabane. Using the information from William's book as well as the will of George Macghee (PRONI LPC/1325) it is possible to trace several generations of this family. 

The earliest recorded putative patriarch, John Macghee, died in the year 1618 and was buried in Leckpatrick Old cemetery. 
David Macghee, (possibly his son), expanded the family's footprint in the region during the mid-to-late 17th century. He held fee farm lands in Strabane around the 1660s and served as a land agent for the prominent Hamilton family manors in Strabane and Cloghogall. He died October 9, 1678.
David by his wife Catherine had a son, George Macghee. Born around 1671 or 1672, George grew to be a well-established resident of Strabane with extensive property holdings, including lands in Dergalt and a lease on Plunkett Street in Dublin. He authored his last will and testament on October 25, 1741, noting that he had entered his 69th year. In the document, he named his wife, Rebecca Macghee, as his sole executor and requested to be buried at the Church of Leckpatrick. George passed away shortly after writing the will in late 1741 (PRONI LPC/1325). 
The fourth generation comprises the children of George and Rebecca, who are explicitly named or referenced in the 1741 will. Their son Patrick Macghee was possibly deceased before the will was completed. Their other son, George Macghee, worked as an apothecary in Strabane circa 1716. Their daughter, Catherine Macghee, married into the Harrold family and is recorded in her father's will simply as Daughter Harrold.
The fifth generation includes John Macghee, who is identified in the family papers as the illegitimate son of Patrick. In his 1741 will, the grandfather George specifically noted that this grandson was to be provided for, ensuring his care. The family papers also briefly note the children of George's niece, Frances Stronge, as part of this extended generation. Roulston notes that George Macgee, the apothecary had at least two sons, Patrick and William Macghee by his wife Rebecca Hamilton (p.45). 
The information from the PRONI will and the Roulston book provide a detailed picture of the Macghee family across five generations. 

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