Notes:

The 1766 religious census of Ahoghill Parish, Diocese of Connor, County Antrim [at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~casoccgs/Ahoghill.htm] lists 1055 'dissenters" (in this case Presbyterians), The list included a James McGill and a William McGill. A Patrick McGill and a William Magill were listed as belonging to the established Church of Ireland.

The 1825 Tithe Applotments record for Ahoghill Parish[PRONI FIN/5/A/10] includes a John Magill in the town of Ahoghill, a Robert Magill in the townland of Dreen, a Mr. Magill, a Robert Magill and a Mrs. Magill in the townland of Galgorm Parks.

James Magill's parents and siblings are unknown, but the following notice was in the "Freeman's Journal" newspaper on 1 Nov., 1822:

"On the 21st ult. by the Rev. John Johnston, of Aboghill [sic], Thomas Magill, aged 21, to Miss Molly Small, aged 50 [!]. They were conveyed from Aboghill to their place of repose, in Cloughoy, a distance of three miles, by upwards of 100 youths, who expressed their joy and satisfaction in different kinds of noises, such as blowing of horns, beating pans and kettles, firing of guns, bonfires, &c. (Belfast Chronicle)."

The same newspaper, on 2 Oct. 1817 reported "On the 24th ult., at Crieve, County Antrim, of a typhus fever, aged 55, Mrs. Magill, wife of William Magill, Esq."

From notes made by Lola (Passmore) Falconer:

James Magill (sometimes spelled McGill) came from Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland. After his marriage to Jane McClure, the couple lived for a time on the Third Line, between Churchville and Meadowvale in Peel County, while James cleared enough land to build a log cabin on the Fifth Line. Their neighbours included "Lower Jimmy" McClure, "Upper Jimmy" McClure, the McCrackens, "Uncle Tommy" and "Aunt Lizzie" McClure (Parents of Andy McClure). Eventually, James built a big brick house on the farm north of Norman Laidlaw's on the same side of the Fifth Line. At first, while beginning this, "he slept at the root of a tree." "Tremaine's Map of the County of Peel, Canada West", 1859 lists James Magill at lot 9 concession V west and also at lot 9 concession VI west in Chingacousy Township in 1859.

James Magill built a big brick house after the log house. It was on the farm north of Norman Laidlaw's on the same side of the 5th line. It first belonged to James Magill, and then to Jim McGill before they went to Brampton to the big house north of town.

Maggie and Jane Magill in Ireland (nieces of James) kept in touch with James and his family in Canada. The Magills in Ireland owned a linen factory, and lived about five miles from Ballymena. The manufacture of linen, from flax, was one of the main industries in and near Ballymena. The "New American Cyclopedia", Vol. X, ed. by G. Ripley and C.A. Dana in the mid 19th century, has an article about linen, in which it is stated that in the Great London Exhibition of 1851, ".. a specimen [of linen] spun by Jane Magill, 84 years of age, [therefore born about 1767] was the finest (760 leas);..."

When Alfred Clarence and Sarah Ellen Passmore visited Maggie and Jane in Dreen, Ireland in 1932, they brought back a checked red and white quilt (which is still in our family) and an elaborate crocheted bedspread.

1851 Chingacousy census:
James Magill, 50, yeoman, born Ireland
Jane Magill, 47, born Ireland
William Magill, 17, labourer, born Canada
James J. Magill, 5, born Canada
Eliza Magill, 23, born Canada
Jane Magill, 15, born Canada
Mary Magill, 7, born Canada
Nancy Magill, 6, born Canada
Hannah McClure, 30, born Ireland
The family's religion was Church of Scotland, and they lived in a log house.

1861 Chigacousy census:
James McGill, 58
Jane McGill, 55
Eliza McGill, 27
William McGill, 24
Mary McGill, 19
Nancy McGill, 15
James McGill, 14
Hannah McGill, 8
The listed family religion was Free Church (Presbyterian).

In the 1871 census for Chingacousy Twp., Peel County [film C-9958, District Peel (039), subdistrict Chingacousy (D), Division 4, page 39, James McGill is listed as a farmer, age 66, born in Ireland, Presbyterian. Others listed:
Jane Magill, 64, b. Ireland
Eliza Magill, 35, b. Ontario
James Magill, 22, b. Ontario
Hannah Magill, 18, b. Ontario
Hannah McClure, 50, b. Ireland
Neighbours included Thomas McClure family.

In the 1881 census for Chingacousy Twp., Peel County [film C-13252, District 140, subdistrict B, Division 4, page 40, household 196, James McGill is listed as a farmer, widowed, born about 1803 in Ireland, Presbyterian. Others listed:
Eliza Magill, 38
James Magill, 37
Hannah McClure, 60

His 1882 death record, in Chingacousy, Peel County, gives his age as 80 years and 3 months, born in Antrim, Ireland. Death was due to diarrhea, 6 days. Informant was James Magill, Jr., lot 9, conc. 6, Chingacousy.

James' will, written in November, 1879, with several codicils added before 1882, lists his son-in-law, William Hyatt, John Fraser and James McClure as executors. His unmarried daughter Eliza received furniture, a cow, a portion of the house, garden and field, and $900, and was to be supported by his son James Johnston Magill, as long as she remained unmarried. Son James was also to support his aunt, Hannah McClure (the sister of his deceased mother Jane McClure) for the remainder of her life. The will also stipulated specific amounts of money to the married daughters, Nancy Hyatt, Hannah McClure, Jane Fraser, and to grandchildren Jane Florence Louisa McClure and James Magill Wiggins (son of his deceased daughter Mary).

There is a photo of James Magill on page 394 of "The "Clan" McClure: Historical Highlights", by J.B. Gilchrist.

James married Jane MCCLURE about 1825 in Antrim, Ireland. Jane (daughter of Thomas MCCLURE and Jean BROWN) was born on 21 Apr 1805 in Antrim, Ireland; died on 30 Oct 1872 in Chingacousy Twp., Peel Co.; was buried in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Streetsville, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Jane MAGILL was born on 15 Sep 1826 in Antrim, Ireland; died about 1826.
2. Eliza MCGILL was born on 19 Nov 1827 in Chingacousy Twp., Peel Co.; died on 10 Jan 1890 in Chingacousy Twp., Peel County, Ontario; was buried in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Streetsville, Ontario.
3. Thomas MAGILL was born on 1 Oct 1830 in Toronto Twp., Peel County, Ontario; died on 23 Oct 1842; was buried in St. Andrew's Cemetery, Streetsville, Ontario.
4. John MAGILL was born about 1831 in Toronto Twp., Peel County, Ontario; died on 24 Oct 1842; was buried in St. Andrew's Cemetery, Streetsville, Ontario.
5. William MCGILL was born about 1834 in Chingacousy Twp., Peel Co.; died on 16 Aug 1898 in Chingacousy Twp., Peel Co.; was buried in Brampton Cemetery.
6. Jane MCGILL was born on 3 Feb 1836 in 5th Concession W., Chingacousy Twp., Peel Co.; died on 12 Dec 1922 in 2nd Line W., Chingacousy Twp., Peel Co.; was buried in Churchville Cemetery, toronto Twp., No. 1.
7. Mary MAGILL was born in Jul 1838 in Chingacousy Twp., Peel County, Ontario; died on 23 Oct 1842; was buried in St. Andrews Presbyterian Cemetery, Streetsville, Ontario.
8. James MAGILL was born in Jul 1840 in Chingacousy Twp., Peel County, Ontario; died on 26 Oct 1842; was buried in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Streetsville.
9. Mary MCGILL was born on 1 Oct 1842 in Chingacousy Twp., Peel Co.; died on 27 Oct 1901 in Esquesing Township, Halton County, Ontario.
10. Nancy MCGILL was born on 26 Dec 1843 in Chingacousy Twp., Peel Co.; died on 24 Feb 1920 in Chingacousy Twp., Peel Co..
11. James Johnston MCGILL was born on 4 Apr 1847 in Chingacousy Twp., Peel Co.; died on 4 Apr 1915 in Brampton, Ontario.
12. Hannah Louise MCGILL was born on 2 Mar 1852 in Chingacousy Twp., Peel Co.; died on 10 Mar 1927 in Churchville, Ontario.