The Story

John Burnie's grave marker lists his place of birth as County Derry, and one is naturally

reluctant to question such information carved in stone. After all, the relatives who buried John Burnie knew him more intimately than I can ever do. The fact is, however, a search of The Tithe Applotment List (1823 - 1838) does not show a single Burnie, Burney, McBurnie, or McBurney, as living in Derry during this period. Rather, they are all recorded as living in the counties of Antrim, Armagh, and Down. Furthermore, among these are a very large contingent of Johns, as well as James, Michaels, Williams, Thomases and Charles (all names of John's children). Could one of these be John, himself, or perhaps one or more of his children? [To see the list, click here]

Of course, without further evidence to go on it is impossible to say for certain. Furthermore, and as usual, the issue continues to be clouded by the wretched variations in the spelling of the name. However, I don't think there can any question that there is some sort of common link among all of them, and this is probably the area of residence.

In his discussion on Distribution of Names, Andrew J. Morris places high value on collectivity:

Therefore, I think it is more than a coincidence that all of these substantially similar names, and unique among Irish surnames, should be found predominantly in one area, i.e., Ulster. To further emphasize this point, The Irish Ancestors service of The Irish Times newspaper returned the following results for a distribution study of "McBurney"--Leinster: 0; Munster: 1; Connacht: 0, Ulster: 18; and "most common in counties Antrim and Down." When these facts are combined with the Morris' reasons for the geographical stability of the Irish, it begins to suggest a tie that goes beyond coincidence, to something closer to "kith and kin".

I believe, therefore, that most (if not all) of these surnames are variations of the same family, sept (clan), or sub sept. This is also the opinion of the Irish Ancestors, which suggests that it can be traced back to Bran, son of Molm Orda in the 11th century. This would be the same root as the Byrne or O'byrne surname. However, there is nothing in fact to support this suggestion.

As mentioned above, it appears from the inscription on his grave marker, that John Burnie was born in County Derry Ireland, in 1772. Moreover, he apparently died in 1856 (age 84), and is

buried in St. Malachy Cemetery (Brock Mission, Roman Catholic Church), in Vroomanton, near Sunderland, Ontario. These are about the only substantial facts we know about him.

However, by an examination of other facts (such as the history of County Derry), it is possible to speculate on his life and times.

County Derry is located in the present Province of Ulster, on the northern most coast of Ireland. It has been populated since prehistoric time by several groups, including

a population of pre-Christian Celts, who worshipped around the abundant Oak groves (i.e., "Doire"), from which the name "Derry" derives. A later conversion to Christianity came with the founding of a monastery in the sixth century by the great Irish saint Colmcille/Columba (521-597). Subsequently, the predominant religion was probably Catholic.

These early inhabitants were followed by the English, who first came to Derry in 1566, but the garrison established there at that time lasted only a few years. A second, more successful garrison returned in 1600 during the 'Nine Years War' against the Gaelic O'Neill and O'Donnell earls. On this occasion the English managed to hold on. However, in 1608 this 'infant city' of Derry was attacked by Sir Cahir O'Doherty [perhaps a relation to John's wife, Rosa Doherty], and the settlement was virtually wiped out. It is abundantly evident, therefore, that the natives of Derry were not about to give up their independence without a fight.

Meanwhile, a new king in London, James I (son of Mary, 'Queen of Scots'), decided on a revolutionary plan designed once and for all to subordinate Ulster. The 'Plantations in Ulster' required the colonising of the area by loyal English and Scottish migrants who were to be predominantly Protestant in religion. One part of this so called "colonization" was to be organized by the ancient and wealthy trades' guilds of London, which they did. As a result, the name Derry was renamed "Londonderry" in 1610. However, this name change was controversial from the start, and was rejected altogether by the Catholic Irish of pre-colonization days, who defiantly stuck to the original name.

I think this describes how John Burnie may have felt. The reference to "Derry" (and not "Londonderry") inscribed on his grave marker could suggest that he was an "Ulsterman", whose family attitude pre-dated colonization, and the controversial name change of 1610. In addition, they were probably members of the Catholic religion, and perhaps converts of the Columban Mission.

No date exists for John Burnie's arrival in Canada. However, according to the 1871 census, two of his sons (i.e., James* 1821, and John 1820) were born in Ireland. I think it can be safely concluded, therefore, that he was still residing in Ireland until the 1820s. The next authentic reference we have, refers to the marriage (in Orillia–or more likely Penetanguishene)** of James to Mary Ann Lowery, in 1846. Therefore, his arrival must have occurred sometime between 1820 and 1846.

Neither are we aware of what prompted him to emigrate; however, there are a couple of reasons which are entirely possible. The first was the political, economic and religious-oppression which followed the conquest in 1690 by the Protestant ruling class. Catholic lands were confiscated, all political rights were taken away (i.e., the right to vote, or hold public office), and farmers were subjected to arbitrarily eviction at the whim of landlords.

The second reason is the aftermath of a short-lived rebellion around the turn of the 19th century, when many were forced to seek exile in other countries. All of these were very potent incentives to leave Ireland during the 18th and 19th centuries.

On the other hand, his decision to leave Ireland behind may merely have been part of the general flood of emigrants, particularly from the northern provinces, who chose to leave Ireland in search of a new opportunity in North America.

His decision to emigrate may also have been due to the influence of a (possible) relative, James Burnie, who arrived in Simcoe County (i.e., Tiny Twp.) sometime prior to 1837***. A search of the 1837 directory*** shows James Burnie as the only Burnie to reside in this area at the time, and it suggests that he arrived there before John. Furthermore, there is some evidence that he may have played a significant role in the family decisions..

For example, there is something curious about John's son Jame's decision to marry Mary Ann Lowery in Orillia or Pentanguishene), when there is no clear reason why he should do so. Mary Ann apparently lived in West Gwillimbury; there were at least two Catholic churches that were closer (St. Joseph's in Beaverton, and St. Malacky's in Vroomanton); and Georgina seems to be where the John Burnie family settled. So, obviously, there was nothing to prevent them from being married in their own community–unless James (from Simcoe County) arranged it.

My guess is that John and his family were fairly new in 1846, and may have been poor and un-established in the community. Therefore, his relative, James of Simcoe County, undertook to arrange the marriage [maybe pay for it], provided that it take place close to his home.

**The actual marriage certificate is labeled "Orillia", but it is written in French; therefore, it suggests it could have taken place in Penetanguishene–a predominantly French community to this day. [See James Burnie's web page].