James Craig (County Antrim, 19th century)
Encyclopedia
James Craig was a Northern Ireland
Whig legislator who represented the constituency of Carrickfergus
in the Parliament of the United Kingdom
from 31 March 1807 to 5 November 1812.
A native of the town of Carrickfergus
in County Antrim
, James Craig was the only son and namesake of James Craig, also of Carrickfergus, and his wife, Jane, born in the Antrim townland
of Prospect. In 1779 he was a young officer in the Irish Volunteers
and, in 1792–93, a captain in the town's own force, the Carrickfergus True Blues. Also in 1792, he purchased the centuries-old local historical fortification of Scoutbush, having it renovated and established as his own family residence and, in approximately 1800, initiated the construction of another prestigious local house, Glyn Park.
He unsuccessfully stood for local election in 1797, but ultimately, on 27 September 1802, gained the office of burgess. In the March 1807 by-election
and the April 29 general election
, he represented the interests of Downshire
and was elected to Parliament. On 24 April 1812, he voted for the then-current Catholic relief bill, after having stated, four days earlier, that Belfast Protestants supported Catholic claims. Five months later, on September 29, Parliament was dissolved and, in the subsequent 5 October–10 November general election
, he was declared an "irregular candidate" and lost his seat. Records indicate that in addition to serving as burgess, Craig also held the local offices of deputy mayor and magistrate. He was twice married, once widowed and the father of four sons and four daughters.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
Whig legislator who represented the constituency of Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus (UK Parliament constituency)
Carrickfergus is a 19th century United Kingdom Parliament constituency, in Northern Ireland, represented, between 1801 and 1885, by one MP.-Boundaries:This constituency was the Parliamentary borough of Carrickfergus in County Antrim....
in the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
from 31 March 1807 to 5 November 1812.
A native of the town of Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
in County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, James Craig was the only son and namesake of James Craig, also of Carrickfergus, and his wife, Jane, born in the Antrim townland
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
of Prospect. In 1779 he was a young officer in the Irish Volunteers
Irish Volunteers (18th century)
The Irish Volunteers were a militia in late 18th century Ireland. The Volunteers were founded in Belfast in 1778 to defend Ireland from the threat of foreign invasion when regular British soldiers were withdrawn from Ireland to fight across the globe during the American War of Independence...
and, in 1792–93, a captain in the town's own force, the Carrickfergus True Blues. Also in 1792, he purchased the centuries-old local historical fortification of Scoutbush, having it renovated and established as his own family residence and, in approximately 1800, initiated the construction of another prestigious local house, Glyn Park.
He unsuccessfully stood for local election in 1797, but ultimately, on 27 September 1802, gained the office of burgess. In the March 1807 by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
and the April 29 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1807
The election to the 4th Parliament of the United Kingdom in 1807 was the third general election to be held after the Union of Great Britain and Ireland....
, he represented the interests of Downshire
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
and was elected to Parliament. On 24 April 1812, he voted for the then-current Catholic relief bill, after having stated, four days earlier, that Belfast Protestants supported Catholic claims. Five months later, on September 29, Parliament was dissolved and, in the subsequent 5 October–10 November general election
United Kingdom general election, 1812
The election to the 5th Parliament of the United Kingdom in 1812 was the fourth general election to be held after the Union of Great Britain and Ireland....
, he was declared an "irregular candidate" and lost his seat. Records indicate that in addition to serving as burgess, Craig also held the local offices of deputy mayor and magistrate. He was twice married, once widowed and the father of four sons and four daughters.