Although the Presbyterian Covenanters were essentially Scottish and were bloodily persecuted in the later years of the 17th century, their Presbyterian brethren who migrated to Ireland were also subjected to persecution by those in authority and suffered their own "Killing Time".

With hindsight it is quite remarkable just how many times successive governments cynically sought to use an Oath as a device for coercing the Presbyterians, surely knowing that it would be rejected and thereby give them the excuse to resort to force.

The Montgomery Manuscripts mention that "Sir Hugh Montgomery brought with him from Scotland two or three chaplains". It was the settlers who came to County Antrim and County Down circa 1606 which gave cause for the ministry. These settlers were mainly from Ayrshire and would have sought a pastor of their choosing at an early date.

The Hamilton Manuscripts record that the Viscount Claneboy settled ministers in all six Parishes within his estates. The first full-time minister in Ulster was Edward Brice who came to Broadisland in 1613 having been forced to flee persecution in Scotland.

Bearing in mind that one of the main objections of the Presbyterians was the rule of the Bishops, their early years in Ulster enjoyed the benign influence of Archbishop James Ussher who produced his Articles of Religion in 1615. This set of compromises allowed the Presbyterians to conduct their worship, receive the church tithes and to co-exist with the established church.

Soon Edward Brice was joined by Robert Cunningham at Holywood (1615); John Ridge at Antrim (1619); Josias Welsh, the grandson of John Knox, at Templepatrick; a Rev John Hubbard from Southwark, London, who brought his congregation with him to Carrickfergus (1621); James Glendinning who replaced Hubbard at Carrickfergus (1623); Robert Blair at Bangor (1623): George Dunbar at Larne (1625); James Hamilton at Ballywalter (1625); Andrew Stewart at Donegore (1627) and John Livingston at Kilinchy (1630).

Some of these minsters accepted Church of Ireland livings although Blair, Welsh and Livingston ministered for many years in the Presbyterian form and without an organised Presbytery.

But their peaceful co-existance was shattered by the resurgence of the Bishops seeking control. At the centre of the drama were Robert Blair and John Livingston who were suspended by Bishop Echlin in 1632. Things came to a head in August 1636 when five of the ministers - Brice, Ridge, Cunningham, Calvert and Hamilton were summoned before the Bishop of Down and required to explain their refusal to accept Episcopacy. They were unable in all conscience to accept the Bishop's rule and were sentenced to "perpetual silence within this diocese".

Covenanters Time Line
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