Westmoreland
Millican, Milligan, Millikan, Milliken, Millikin, Mullican, Mulliken, Mullikin etc.
John Milligan Esq. of Westmoreland
High up in the Galloway hills, in the old Carsphairn graveyard, stands a headstone erected to the memory of Jean Dempster by her son John Milligan Esq., of Westmoreland County in the State of Pennsylvania. Although weather beaten, the inscription reads, she died 2nd September 178-?, aged - -?, and was the spouse of Alex. Milligan. In his book, the Rev. G. T. Ridlon incorrectly gives his name as John Milligan, the father of John Milligan Esq of Westmoreland and his two younger brothers Thomas and James Milligan. He is correct, however, to point out that this family had been known by the surname Milliken, and was only changed to Milligan after the death of Alexander in 1785, through the influence of his second wife. The record of his death is also preserved on a headstone in the same graveyard and reads:
Headstone erected in memory of Jean Dempster who died 2nd September 178- aged - -, husband of Alex. Milligan, by her son John Milligan Esq. of Westmoreland County Pennsylvania.
[Pre-1855 Gravestone Inscriptions, An Index for the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright (1990), Vol. I, Carsphairn, no. 56]
[Sandstone Headstone] erected in memory of Alexander Milligan in Meadowhead who died July 26, 1785, aged 60 years.
[Pre-1855 Gravestone Inscriptions, An Index for the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright (1990), Vol. I,
Carsphairn, no. 48]
Jean Dempster evidently died in or about 1780 for Alex married his second wife, Margaret Milligan, in 1781 and appears to have been married to Alex for nearly 30 years as her son John was born on 13 October, 1752. Alex's second marriage to Margaret, said to have been of the old family so long possessed of Blackmyre farm, came late in life when he was aged about 56 years. There are no early marriages records for the Parish Church of Carsphairn, only a baptismal register which dates from 1758 and records the following entries:
February 24, 1783
Baptism of Thomas first child of Alexander Milliken and Margaret Milliken in Meadowhead.
Carsphairn OPR.860/1/27]
July 3, 1785
baptism of James second child of Alexander Milliken and Margaret Milliken in Meadowhead.
Carsphairn OPR.860/1/43]
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