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I have been studying Scotch-Irish genealogy, to include taking classes. I came upon a book by Bill & Mary Durning "The Scotch-Irish" published 1991. The book lists all early Scotch-Irish settlers in Ulster Province by townland, parish, county, etc. The book listed Bangor/County Down as the origination of the Eakin/Aiken/Achin family into NI. So from this point I began my search. I was very fortunate to find a website devoted to all things Co Down genealogy. Wouldn't you know it...found James Eakin and a number of his siblings in Drumbo (10-15 miles from Bangor). His father's name was John Ekin. There were no other James Eakin/Aiken children in the baptismal records anywhere else in the Co Down records. I double checked with the owner of the site and she stated in her email below what she could find on the Aiken family, unfortunately it was later than I was looking for. I believe that this is the same James Eakin. The timeframe fits, both for the Augusta records and also for migration patterns from NI (estimate 1727-1735). Also, I believe that James and family arrived through port of Philadelphia (unproven yet) and settled in Pennsylvania for a while (unproven yet). Typical migration patterns of Scotch-Irish. I have Census records from 1870 of Eakin great grand children of James who state that their father (James's grandson James of Scott Co) was born in PA and 2 other siblings say VA. I believe that the siblings were confusing father and grandfather.
Lots of James Eakin! This family is NOT related to the Eakin of Tuscawara, Berkeley Co WV, though lots of people seem to confuse the two families.Last thing I offer is this...I've been tracking this Eakin family for nearly two years now (SW VA/Eastern Tenn Eakin/Aiken/Akens). They have a very distinctive feel to them and are VERY uncreative with naming conventions. They use almost the exact same names over and over in almost the same order. I think this baptismal record is it!
From website owner:
I checked the land records, Index to Tithe Applotment Books, 1823-1838 (head of house only) to see where in Drumbo the Eakins/Aikens lived- Please see my Map & Place Names sections for locations- URL below.
Aiken, Daniel County : Down
Parish : Drumbo
Townland : Ballynahatty
Year : 1829
Aiken, Daniel County : Down
Parish : Drumbo
Townland : Ballynavally
Year : 1829
Aiken, William County : Down
Parish : Drumbo
Townland : Drumbo
Year : 1829
Aikin, Thomas County : Down
Parish : Drumbo
Townland : Leverogue
Year : 1829
I checked the earlier land records, Freeholders on www.proni.gov.uk & found in Drumbo parish
Daniel Aiken leasing in 1756 & 1790 in Ballynavally- same farm as above?
John Aiken leasing in Laverock ( Leverogue) in 1752- same farm as above?
John Aiken/ Aikin leasing in Drumbo in 1783 from R. Maxwell
Thomas Aiken / Aikin leasing in 1813 & 1818 & 1824from Mary, Marchioness of Downshire (at least we now have a landlord's name meaning that you might be able to access the landlords estate records in PRONI)
John Eakin leasing in Loveroge in 1752 from Lord Downshire
William Eakin leasing in Drumbo in 1813 from Rainey Maxwell (probably same landlord as above)
Leverogue and Drumbo townlands border each other and are near Drumbo village so I think this is your home area. Please see My Drumbo Map-URL below
Search of current day phone books of Co Down, NI find 3 Aiken families within 10 miles of Drumbo.
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