McILROY in New Jersey by Jim Stout 24 March 1990 ------------------------------------------------ LITTLE, MAXWELL, McILROY, McKINNEY, MERRILL, STOUT William McILROY b 1 Mar 1750 Northern Ireland. Family tradition says he was imprisoned somewhere in Great Britain for killing a black cat on All Saint's Day (does anyone believe that?). The Revolutionary War pension records show that William McILROY entered Boston Harbor in March 1775 as a British soldier (an exchange for release from prison, possibly), soon deserted, then joined Washington's Continental Army at Elizabeth, New Jersey. William McILROY married (when?) Elizabeth MAXWELL b 1759 Sussex County, NJ. William and Elizabeth had five known children, all born in Sussex (now Warren) County, NJ: John McILROY b 21 Jan 1780 d 24 May 1856, w Margaret MERRILL. Mary McILROY m 24 Mar 1809, h William C. KINNEY / McKINNEY. William McILROY Jr b 22 May 1784 d 7 Aug 1860, unmarried. Margaret McILROY b 1793 d 1875 Margaret m (1) John LITTLE & had son Jeptha LITTLE Margaret m (2) Jacob STOUT & had six sons. Elizabeth Matilda McILROY b 4 Feb 1795 d 17 Apr 1896, unmarried. Margaret McILROY STOUT was a Presbyterian, but I can't confirm a church affiliation for the other family members. Her father, William McILROY Sr, is buried in McKinney Burial Ground near New Village, Warren County, New Jersey. His stone is inscribed "William LeRoy died 1838 in 88th year". McELROY was a common spelling of this family's surname after c1880. I haven't traced this line back to Ireland, and would appreciate your sharing any data which might apply prior to 1775. I'll gladly pay photocopy and postage on any applicable material. Jim Stout / 500 W. Webb Road / Raymore, MO 64083