Rosemary Street Presybterian Churches
Millican, Milligan, Millikan, Milliken, Millikin, Mullican, Mulliken, Mullikin etc.



Rosemary Street Presybterian Churches, Belfast


Three Presbyterian Churches existed in Rosemary Street at one time. Rosemary Street First (Non-Subscribing) Presbyterian Church was founded in 1644 and still exists to this day on the same street. It became known as First Presbyterian, after the Second Presbyterian Church was founded in 1708. It was built to cater for the growing Presbyterian population of Belfast. In 1896, the Second Presbyterian Church moved to their new church at All Souls� on Elmwood Avenue, Belfast (the church was demolished in the 1960s). In 1722, the Third Presbyterian Church was established following a doctrinal dispute within the Presbyterian congregation.

In 1725 there was a re-organisation of the Presbyteries with the Non-Subscribers being placed in the Presbytery of Antrim, a year later in 1726 the Presbytery of Antrim was expelled from the General Synod of Ulster, including the First and Second Congregations of Belfast. The Third Presbyterian Church was replaced by a very impressive building that was unfortunately destroyed in the 1941 Blitz (the Masonic Hall built in 1950-54 exists on the site today). In the 18th Century, the Third Presbyterian Church became a hotbed of radicalism with Henry Joy McCracken being its most famous Unite Irishman. The McCracken family lived just across the road from the church.

The First Presbyterian Church has baptismal registers from 1757, marriages from 1790, and burials from between 1712 and 1736. I have searched the baptismal and marriage records, but found no entries to the Milliken, Milligan, Mulligan variety, except in the burial register and lists of members of 1760, 1775, 1781, 1790, 1812 and 1830.


Rosemary Street Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church

Burials 1712-1736, Lists of members 1775 & 1790

January 3, 1713
Burial a daughter of Robert Millikin, Merchant, paid 1s.6d.

January 16, 1714
Robert Malkcam, poor, funeral paid by Robert Millikin.

May 14, 1714
Burial of William Hennery poor, paid by Robert Millikin Merchant.

February 9, 1715
Burial of child of Robert Millikin, Merchant.

December 29, 1716
Burial of Heugh Moor at Carrickfergus, poor, paid by Robert Millikin.

April 24, 1717
Burial of child of Robert Millikin.

List of members in 1783 & 1790

Thomas Millikin listed in 1783 as new member and in 1790 as residing at Donegal Street Belfast.


[Source: PRONI MIC.1B/2, C.R. 4/5]


Rosemary Street Third Presbyterian Church

The Second (Non Subscribing) Presbyterian Church has baptismal records 1782-92, and 1816-28, and marriages 1771-87, and 1817-27. However, the earliest baptismal and marriage entries appear in the records of the Third Presbyterian Church, which remained within the General Synod of Ulster after the split of 1726. There are early pew rent books dating from 1726-73 and 1788-96, lists of communicants 1728-42, lists of catechisable persons 1725-6, and baptism c. 1723 to 1867 with an index, and marriages, c.1741 to 1846 with an index.

Pew Rent books 1726-73
No. 46: Josias Minnis (mariner) half of the seat is made over to Gilbert Millikin.

Baptisms 1723-1867; Marriage 1741-1845

March 3, 1748
Marriage of Mary Mulligan and James McDowel, after proclamation on February 28, 1748.

April 9, 1752
Marriage of Mary Mulligan and John Hamilton, after proclamation on April 5, 1752.

July 23, 1761
Proclamation of James Mullagin and Jane Sayers, and married shortly afterwards.

September 26, 1769
Marriage of Samuel Millikin and Jean Kyle, after proclamation on September 24, 1769.

December 30, 1783
Marriage of John Mulican and Hannah McCullach after banns on 28 December, 1783.

September 8, 1795
Baptism of Mary Miliken daughter of Edward Miliken.

January 28, 1798
Baptism of William Miliken son of Edward Miliken.

November 15, 1800
Baptism of John Miliken son of Edward Miliken.

May 6, 1806
Marriage of James Milliken and Agnes Russell.

February 24, 1807
Baptism of James Milliken son of James Milliken, labourer.

April 14, 1810
Baptism of David Milliken son of James Milliken, labourer.

May 15, 1814
Birth of Rachael Milliken daughter of Edward Milliken and Rachael Coats.

November 24, 1821
Marriage of Sarah Milliken of the Falls and Alexander Graham of the same place.
Witnessed by Hugh Milliken, Rebecca Milliken and Margaret Coats.

May 2, 1823
Marriage of Jonathan Gordon of lower Falls and Margaret Tate of the lower Falls.
Witnessed by James Ewart, William Millikin, Claire Teat and Janet Brattaun.

November 5, 1823
Baptism of Edward Milliken son of William Milliken farmer and Mary Teat, of the Falls of Belfast.

September 9, 1825
Marriage by Rev. S. Hanna of Valentine Ellis son of Joseph Ellis of Upper Falls and Jane Milliken daughter of Edward Milliken of Upper Falls, both this congregation.
Witnessed by Rebecca Milliken and David Milliken.

November 7, 1825
Marriage by Rev. Dr Hanna, minister, of John Craig of Comber, Co. Down (certificate from Rev. McCance), and Mary Milliken of Holywood, Co. Down (certificate from John Patton and James Wallace, elders of Hollywood).
Witnessed by Hugh Harper, John Fulton and Thomas Lynsay.

October 7, 1826
Baptism of Sarah daughter of William Milliken farmer and Mary Teat, of the Falls of Belfast.

November 12, 1829
Baptism of John Milikin son of Samuel Milikin (cooper) and Ann McCuloch.

Note: John Millikin was married Ann McCullough at Ballymacarrett Church of Ireland in 1828.

April 3, 1837
Marriage of David Milliken son of James Milliken of Carrick Hill and Mary Stewart daughter of James Stewart of Smithfield.
Witnessed by John Kirker, John Stewart and Rebecca Stewart.


[Source: PRONI MIC.1P/7]



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