Col. William 'Christie's Will' Armstrong

Not the same as William W. Armstrong

Col.William Armstrong (son of Christopher (John's Christy) Armstrong and Gorthe Catherine Graham) 108 was born 1565 in Gilnockie, , Dumfries, Scotland, and died 1649 in Co. Fermanagh, Ulster, Ireland. He married Margarte Elliott in 1600 in Scotland.

Notes for Col.William Armstrong: Notes for WILLIAM RN-17658 (COL)

ARMSTRONG: William Called 'Christie's Will'. Also was called "The Younger of Barngleish & later Younger of Langholm, and Younger of Aughingill. Source-Brookeborough Parish Records in Co. Fermanagh, Ireland Source-Armstrong House of Langholm Item 5. Source-Border Exploits edit 1812 p. 292. It is well known that during the troubles of Charles I the Earl of Traquair continued unalterably fixed in his attachment to his unfortunate master, in whose service he hazarded his person and improverished his estate. On one occasion his lordship dispatched Christie's Will to London upon business of the highest importance to his Majesty. But the task was a difficult one, as the Parliamentary leaders used their utmost endeavors to prevent and communication between the king and his Scottish friends. Will arrived at London and delivered his papers in safety. In the meantime his embassy had taken air, and orders were dispatched by the enemy to intercept him. He passed skillfully from London to Carlisle, a distance of 265 miles, stopping at the latter place to refresh his horse, and then proceeded on his journey. Crossing the bridge over the Eden just outside of Carlisle, he suddenly discovered Parliamentary soldiers springing up like magic at both ends of the bridge. There was nothing left to do but take to the water, which was in high flood. Facing down stream, he patted his horse's neck, and with a touch of the spur gracefully cleared the parapet. Horse and rider were carried by the swift current to a place called the Stanners, or Stanhouse, where he guided the horse up the wet bank but they slipped back into the river. Quickly cutting the loop that held his long wet cloak, he made for the bank again. With the noble effort the animal brought his master to firm ground. The soldiers, for a time struck with wonder, forgot to fire upon him. Two or three ran down the waterside intending to capture him, but Will pointed his wet pistol at them, which weapon, although useless, caused them to halt. From the Eden he was chased to the Esk, which he swam. Gaining the further side, he wheeled around and in true Border style called out to his pursuers to come through and drink with him. They declined, knowing he was in the neighborhood of friends. After this taunt, he proceeded on the journey and faithfully accomplished his mission. Source-Wilsons Tales of the Border edit. London vol. 2, p. 736, on perilous mission from Scotland to King Charles 1st, in London. Source-Armstrong Surname Organization Salt Lake City, Utah In 1630 William kidnapped Sir Alexander Gibson, Lord Durie, a Judge and kept him prisoner for 3 months, in a Castle Dungeon until court decided in favor of his friend, then released the Judge at night. Judge & friends thought William had been spirited away by witchcraft. Source-(Preface of Forbe's Journal of the Sessions, Edinburgh 1714) Also In this year, reign of King Charles I, when the old Border practices were not entirely discontinued, the Tower of Gilknockie was occupied by William Armstrong called for distinction's sake Christie's Will, grandson to the famous John of Gilknockie executed by King James V. From Armstrong Clan Association News, dated April 1997, page 9. There is a story told of Christie's Will, that when confined in Jedburgh Jail, the Earl Traquair, who knew him well, got him released, in order to send him to Edinburgh, to aid his Lordship in terminating a law plea, which he proposed doing by getting the Counsel opposed to him out of the way. Christie's Will undertook to do this. He said he liked to do a "pawky trick," and engaged to remove the opposing lawyer, whom he accordingly inveigled away on the promise of giving him some "flowing fees," and when he succeeded in getting the advocate into his own free-booting domain, he incarcerated him in a tower till Traquair gained his suit. This Earl was perhaps Charles the First's friend, who fought with his son at Preston on behalf of his Sovereign, and fell into the hands of the rebels, when they were committed to Warwick, and imprisoned like the counsel, though for a much longer period, their captivity extending to four years. After the Earl's release and return, he suffered extreme poverty. Soon after this Christie's Will joined the Army of King Charles I. William son of Christopher and grandson John Of Gilnockie left Scotland in taking nephew Andrew with him and settleing in Northern Fermanugh Co., Ireland, where he became the founder of a numerious family whose branches flourished in those parts . This was some years after the death of Queen Elizabeth. Another source states William settled in Fermanagh Co., Ireland in 1604 Source-Armstrong Surname Organization Armstrong families of Ireland, most all trace back to William & nephew Andrew in Brooksboro Ireland. Source-Chronicles of the Armstrongs p. 245, 309, 316 , 318 & 392. The Munro Clan had a long minority in the chiefship from 1635 to 1651 coincided with the period of Civil War. During these years General Robert Munro commanded the army sent by the Scottish Parliament to Ireland in 1642. Colonel William died in battle in King Charles I, British Army, during the period of the First Civil War with Ireland 1642-1646. Source-1635-1651 Civil War, (Abstract of acts of settlement & explanation, reign of King Charles 1, in Parliment at Westminister in 1640. Buried in the Old Churchyard of Agahvea a short distance from Brooksboro, Fermanagh Co., Ireland. Source-Sir Bernard Burke Source-Chart of the Ten Lairds of Mangerton Castle Source-Clans & Tartans by Harper/Collins Publishers P.O. Box, Glasgow G4 ONB-1995( Mention of the Civil War on page 89, & 248) There is an old house in Brookboro with the Armstrong crest and motto, "Valida Manu", over the fireplace. It must have been a grand place in it's time, and now is used as a hotel. This house marks the spot of the first home of the Armstrongs in Ireland, that of Christie's Will's family, who went there from the Border in the early part of the seventeenth century. Christie's Will upon his death, his heirs were awarded a land grant in Fermanagh County, Northern Ireland. Source-Chronicles of the Armstrongs, p.p.203, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 316, 320,330 sent to author Dr. James L. Armstrong by Letter from Edwin E. Armstrong of Detroit, Michigan dated 12/6/1897. Source-"I Remain Unvanquished p.p.117,118,119 Compiled by W.L.A.(Az.) Called 'Christie's Will'. Source-Armstrong House of Langholm Item 5. In 1630 William kidnapped a Judge and kept him prisoner for 3 months, in a Castle Dungeon until court decided in favor of his friend, then released the Judge at night. Judge & friends thought William had been spirited away by witchcraft. Source- (Preface of Forbe's Journal of the Sessions, Edinburgh 1714) William son of Christopher and grandson of the famous John (Robin Hood )left Scotland in 1630 takeing nephew Andrew with him and settling in northern Fermanaugh Co., Ireland, where he became the founder of a numerious family whose branches flourished in those parts . This was some years after the death of Queen Elizabeth. Armstrong families of Ireland, most all trace back to William & nephew Andrew in Brooksboro Ireland. Source-Chronicles of the Armstrongs p. 316 & 392. William died in battle in King Charles 1 Army about 1639 (Abstract of acts of settlement & explanation, reign of King Charles 1, in Parliment at Westminister in 1640. Source-Chronicles General Listing 1/UKBC

Source-Armstrong House of Langholm Item 5. In 1630 William kidnapped a Judge and kept him prisoner for 3 months, in Castle Dungeon until court decided in favor of his friend, then released the Judge at night. Judge & friends thought William had been spirited away by witchcraft. Source-(Preface of Forbe's Journal of the Sessions, Edinburgh 1714)

William son of Christopher and grandson of the famous John(Robin Hood)left Scotland in 1630 taking nephew Andrew with him and settling in northern Fermanugh Co., Ireland, where he became the founder of a numerous family whose branches flourished in those parts . This was some years after the death of Queen Elizabeth. Armstrong families of Ireland, most all trace back to William & nephew Andrew in Brooksboro Ireland. Source-Chronicles of the Armstrong's p. 316 & 392.

William died in battle in King Charles 1 Army about 1639(Abstract of acts of settlement & explanation, reign of King Charles 1, in Parliament at Westminster in 1640. Source-Chronicles General Listing 1/UKBC Compiled by W.L.A.(Az.)

It is well known that during the troubles of Charles I the Earl of Traquair continued unalterably fixed in his attachment to his unfortunate master, in whose service he hazarded his person and impoverished his estate. On one occasion his lordship dispatched Christie's Will to London upon business of the highest importance to his Majesty. But the task was a difficult one, as the Parliamentary leaders used their utmost endeavors to prevent and communication between the king and his Scottish friends. Will arrived at London and delivered his papers in safety. In the meantime his embassy had taken air, and orders were dispatched by the enemy to intercept him.

He passed skillfully from London to Carlisle, a distance of 265 miles, stopping at the latter place to refresh his horse, and then proceeded on his journey. Crossing the bridge over the Eden just outside of Carlisle, he suddenly discovered Parliamentary soldiers springing up like magic at both ends of the bridge. There was nothing left to do but take to the water, which was in high flood. Facing down stream, he patted his horse's neck, and with a touch of the spur gracefully cleared the parapet. Horse and rider were carried by the swift current to a place called the Stanners, or Stanhouse, where he guided the horse up the wet bank but they slipped back into the river.

Quickly cutting the loop that held his long wet cloak, he made for the bank again. With the noble effort the animal brought his master to firm ground. The soldiers, for a time struck with wonder, forgot to fire upon him. Two or three ran down the water side intending to capture him, but Will pointed his wet pistol at them, which weapon, although useless,caused them to halt.

From the Eden he was chased to the Esk, which he swam. Gaining the further side, he wheeled around and in true Border style called out to his pursuers to come through and drink with him. They declined, knowing he was in the neighborhood of friends. After this taunt, he proceeded on the journey and faithfully accomplished his mission. Source-Wilsons Tales of the Border edit. London vol. 2, p. 736, on perilous mission from Scotland to King Charles 1st, in London.Source-Armstrong

Surname Organization Salt Lake City, Utah In 1630 William kidnapped Sir Alexander Gibson, Lord Durie, a Judge and kept him prisoner for 3 months, in a Castle Dunge on until court decided in favor of his friend, then released the Judge at night. Judge & friends thought William had been spirited away by witchcraft. Source-(Preface of Forbe's Journal of the Sessions, Edinburgh 1714)

Also In this year, reign of King Charles I, when the old Border practices were not entirely discontinued, the Tower of Gilknockie was occupied by William Armstrong called for distinction's sake Christie's Will, grandson to the famous John of Gilknockie executed by King James V. From Armstrong Clan Association News, dated April 1997, page 9.

There is a story told of Christie's Will, that when confined in Jedburgh Jail, the Earl Traquair, who knew him well, got him released, in order to send him to Edinburgh, to aid his Lordship in terminating a law plea, which he proposed doing by getting the Counsel opposed to him out of the way. Christie's Will undertook to do this. He said he liked to do a"pawky trick," and engaged to remove the opposing lawyer, whom he accordingly inveigled away on the promise of giving him some "flowing fees," and when he succeeded in getting the advocate into his own free-booting domain.

When Col William Christis William Armstrong was born in 1565, in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, his father, Sir John Christopher Armstrong, was 39 and his mother, Lady Catherine Graham of Gorte, was 38. He married Margaret Ellen Elliot on 31 March 1596, in Midlothian, Scotland. They were the parents of at least 11 sons and 1 daughter. He registered for military service in 1642. He died on 5 June 1646, in Ulster, Ireland, at the age of 81, and was buried in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

Lineage

Col. William 'Christie's Will' Armstrong and Margret Mary Maguire - 10th
Edward Terwinney Armstrong and Margret Mary Maguire - 9th

References

• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Armstrong-714 cites
  • Chronicles of the Armstrongs p. 316 & 392.
  • Thomasson, Curtis. "Armstrong descendents are of Scotch-Irish origin." The Andalusia Star News. 11/12/2011. https://www.andalusiastarnews.com/2011/11/12/armstrong-descendants-...
  • "Armstrong of Ballycumber" Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry, Volume 1, pp. 23 ff. A PDF copy may be downloaded from Google Books at this link
  • https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LFYD-69X/colonel-william%2C-c...
  • https://our-royal-titled-noble-and-commoner-ancestors.com/p6296.htm, accessed 21 Apr 2021
• Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-20, 22 Name William Armstrong Birth Date 1602 Death Date 1658 Household Members Name Age William “Christie’s Will” Armstrong < AncestrySharing >

1. Wikipedia contributors, "William Armstrong (Christie's Will)," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, < Wikipedia > accessed February 12, 2024).