Person:James Esler (1)

Notes

http://216.71.10.151/traralgonhistory/people/eslers.htm "The family came originally from Meckembourg to this country." according to G.B. Van Goor, Gonda, 1861, from whose collection the arms and crest have been furnished as those to which the family is entitled to use." Tradition and the written records agree as to the German origin of the family, and its domicile in Scotland. The first Irish Eslers emigrated from Scotland and settled in Ulster at the Plantation in the beginning of the 17th century. The first settlers were three brothers. They carried with them their Scottish dialect and sturdy Presbyterianism. Each became a land owner, and as freeholders or leaseholders their descendants have remained in possession of the same lands up until the present time. One of the brothers settled in the Valley of the Braid, County Antrim, and it is with his descendants this record is concerned. The first official document I have discovered is a lease dated 1718, to James Esler, of the "Quarter Townland" of Lisnamurrican, for a term of 31 years, at a rental of £8 per annum. The said James was born in 1687, and died 1765. He married and had four sons - Andrew, James, Jeremiah and William. The second lease, granted to him also, is dated 1747, and was for the lives of his two sons - Andrew then aged 11, and James, aged 8 years. Rent £11.6.8.

Valley of the Braid

The Braid is an area not a townland which might be why you are having trouble finding it. The website below (even though it's about sheep) will give you an idea: www.antrim.net/braidsheep/index.htm "Braid District near Broughshane, Ballymena." "The 'Sheddings' a focal point for the local community is located in the scenic heart of County Antrim - six miles from Ballymena. The River Braid cuts through this valley on its Journey through the award winning village of Broughshane and then on to the District Town of Ballymena and into Lough Neagh." Presbyterian Churches are grouped in Presbyteries, not parishes. However, I did find this reference which might be what you refer to: "The parish of Braid-island in the county of Antrim, which contains 5,000 acres Irish plantation measure, was the first Presbyterian parish of the Plantation in the reign of James I. which had a Presbyterian Minister." -from www.libraryireland.com/articles/BraidIslandDPJ1-28/index.php