The Ex-Communication of Presbyterians in Donagheady Parish, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland 1667

Diocese of Derry
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) Ref: T/552
Extracted from Ulster Genealogy and Local History Blog by researcher Bobby Forrest (many thanks Bobby!)

Formatted and Submitted by Len Swindley, Melbourne, Australia
len_swindley[at]hotmail.com

In 1667 over one hundred people in Derry diocese were excommunicated by the Established Church, mostly for nonconformity. Nonconformity was defined as ‘not only absence from church, but baptising by unlicensed ministers’. A number of individuals were excommunicated for refusing to contribute to the repair of their local Church of Ireland church or 'refusing to hear Divine Service'. Other reasons included failing to pay tithes, fornication and adultery. John Boyd of Ardstraw, was further charged with ploughing on Christmas Day and condemning the ecclesiastical government. In the parish of Donagheady (below) the most common reasons given for expulsion was non-conformity, absence from Church and adultery. Three couples were indicted for adultery, named and shamed without due process by modern standards.

Ex-communication practically placed those named below outside the protection of the civil law

DONNAGKADY PARISH