Subscribers to The Sure Way to Heaven

By William Roulston (originally published in the Directory of Irish Family History Research in 2012)

In 1797 Rev. James Mathew MacCary, Catholic Rector of Carrickfergus and Larne, published a volume in Belfast entitled The sure way to heaven, being a new volume, such never before published in English on the truths of salvation.

The list of subscribers runs to over 450 names. From the addresses given, it is clear that many were from his own congregation, while others were from his home area in North Antrim. Others were from further afield. Several priests were resident in Lisbon in Portugal and one or more of them may have been colleagues from MacCary’s own time there. Over 90 of the subscribers were named McCary suggesting the author had made full use of his family networks in securing support for his volume. A number of these McCarys were resident overseas, in Glasgow, Whitehaven and Philadelphia. Among the more interesting names listed are those of Charles and Luke Teeling, leading inhabitants in Lisburn and prominent in the events surrounding the 1798 Rebellion. Another interesting subscriber is Edmond McGildoney Esq., Ballycastle Quay. He was the agent for the Earl of Antrim’s estate and numerous documents relating to his activities are available in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (ref. D1375). Some Protestants were also subscribers to this book, including the Rev. ‘Foot’ (Futt) Marshall, Presbyterian minister of Ballyclare. The subscribers are listed in the order in which they appear in the published volume. Note that names prefixed by Mc or O’ are arranged by the letter that follows the prefix, i.e. McCary is listed under C and O’Neil is listed under N. There are some exceptions to this, such as a John Bruslee listed under D. The last three dozen names are not listed in any particular order. There are also some names that have queries hanging over them, but we have let them stand as they are. Thanks are due to Mark Campbell for preparing this list of names.