David Cargill

Born: David Cargill

c. 1661

Scotland

Died: April 3, 1734

Londonderry (now Derry), NH

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Spouse: Janet Smith Cargill (m. 1680)

Children: John Cargill, Elizabeth Cargill Morrison, Marion Cargill Clark, Annis Cargill McKeen, David Cargill Jr., Mary Cargill Houston, Jean Cargill Montgomery, Margaret Cargill All, Martha Cargill McKeen, Janet Cargill Gregg

Accomplishments

• Emigrated to County Derry, Ireland in the 1680s
• Brought most of his family to Boston, MA on the brigantine "Robert," arriving in August 1718

Faith

• Presbyterian elder

Gwillim-Moore Genealogy says, "The group (of 120 Irish families) had left because of the economic stranglehold of the English on the Scotch tenants and the rebellious oppression imposed by the crown. These men were Presbyterians, and David Cargill was an elder and delegate, with his son-in-law, Rev. James MacGregor [Marion's first husband], to the Synod sessions in Belfast, which was largely instrumental in instigating and organizing the trip. They were able to get an invitation of the Gov. Shute of MA, and his promise to help in obtaining lands for them. These passengers brought their looms with them, which they had used in Ireland for the making of Irish linens. These looms were the forerunners of the future textile industry of the area. In the ship's hold were also seed potatoes, which produced a new crop in New England. The ROBERT sailed on to Casco Bay where the colonists expected to find lands, but they were disappointed. The ROBERT became frozen in and the settlers spent an unbelievably hard winter. In the spring they obtained title to a tract of land about 30 miles north of Boston, which they named 'Nutfield'. It later was called Londonderry and finally shortened to Derry, NH. The deed was dated Oct. 20, 1719. The Cargill family that settled there consisted of Captain Cargill, his wife, son David, seven daughters, five sons-in-law and their children.

"He was married in 1680 to Janet Smith, born in Macosquin, County Derry, Ireland. She died in Londonderry, on Oct. 5, 1745, aged 81. She was the daughter of John Smith of Coleraine, Ireland, who emigrated from Scotland in 1610.

"Captain Cargill's land comprised the most favored lot in the new settlement on Beaver River where he operated a fulling mill and a grist mill. He brought with him two servants who were allotted grants of land. Cargill's land was in the English range, so called because every recipient of land in that section was either an officer of the town or a man of military rank in the service of the King. His descendants of the next two generations were officers of high military rank during the French and Indian wars which followed.

"The peacetime military title of Captain and the 'Mister' affixed to his name in the town records indicate that he was of the gentry, probably had been a civil officer in North Ireland. He was elected moderator of the new community in 1726 and 1728. He served as chairman of the committee apportioning land to newcomers in the town. The settlers built their homes of logs—but not the church. It was of frame construction with a steeple designed by the architect, Sir Christopher Wren of London. Within five years this church had a membership of two hundred and fifty. It is still in existence in East Derry, NH, but is now the First Congregational Church."